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A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST 

























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WHOEVER YOU ARE, CAN YOU HELP ME?” 





A Daughter of the West 


The Story of an American Princess 


BY 

/' 


EVELYN RAYMOND 

M 

AUTHOR OF ** THE LITTLE LADY OF THE HORSE ” 
“ AMONG THE LINDENS,” ETC., ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED BY 

CHARLES COPELAND 



BOSTON AND CHICAGO 

W. A. WILDE & COMPANY 

L . 



S0B25 

Copyright, 1899, 

By W. a. Wilde & Company. 
All rights reserved. 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 
▼WOCOPirs PWCEIVED. 







i 

I 



V 


PREFACE 


There is no sweeter nor nobler human creature 
than a typical American girl ; and such, as we com- 
prehend her, is Patience Eliot, that Daughter of the 
West, herewith presented. 

Born and reared in the freedom of great spaces, 
she early learned to regard the stern verities of life 
rather than its polished trivialities ; which she dis- 
dained because she recognized beneath them a need 
that was more vital. 

The position of our Princess” was unique; yet 
neither impossible nor without precedent. From 
infancy accustomed to the exercise of her own indi- 
viduality, she had also at command a vast wealth, 
which came to her as a gift from nature itself. It 
was inevitable that she should make some mistakes, 
and that the conditions of her life should emphasize 
both faults and virtues ; yet if her judgment of 
others’ hypocrisy was too severe and scathing, it was 
because Truth, Love, and Honor — the compound of 

5 


6 


PI? E FACE 


both — formed her own ideals. Herself, and all her 
belongings, she held as a trust, to be spent lavishly, 
yet withal wisely, in the service of others. 

In every sense she was a patriot. She realized 
that American girlhood was to the girlhood of older 
civilizations as America itself was to older nations. 
Strong in this faith, yet without vanity, she was 
constrained to keep herself simple and modest, yet 
courageous and, if need be, daring. Like her native 
land still, she respected her own dignity, which 
should not be the less because of its youthfulness. 

So Patience comes before those other young folk 
whom she hopes to make her friends; and may each 
daughter of America, east or west, who reads this 
story, realize that she also is a Princess in her own 
right ; a being to whom all nobility is possible ; and 
so realizing, walk uprightly, with that graciousness 
that sets her apart as one in whom the eyes of all 
the world delight. 

E. E. 

Baltimore, March 25, 1899. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. 

In the City of the Angels 






PAGB 

11 

IL 

Two Daughters of America 






22 

III. 

The Home by the Arroyo 






37 

IV. 

On the Home Road . 






43 

V. 

A Curbstone Merchant . 






56 

VI. 

At the Fairy Spring 






65 

VII. 

A Frustrated Crime 






75 

VIII. 

Santa Paula 






90 

IX. 

The Young Ranch Mistress 






102 

X. 

A Breakfast Bouquet 






109 

XI. 

An Injun in the Case 






121 

XII. 

Holding the Whiphand . 






129 

XIII. 

Imprisoned in the Canon 






142 

XIV. 

Long Mark and Ouleon meet 





156 

XV. 

The Search Begun . 






166 

XVI. 

Tulita and David 






175 

XVII. 

Off to the Rescue . 






183 

XVIII. 

In the Great Cavern 






195 

XIX. 

The Vision of Tulita 






207 

XX. 

Ouleon’s Story to Tulita 


• 




216 

XXL 

A Talk through the Cavern’s Roof 




233 


7 


8 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

XXII. 

XXIIL 

XXIV. 

XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXVII. 

XXVIII. 

XXIX. 

XXX. 

XXXI. 

XXXII. 


Swing Right — Left — Up — Down 
On the Long, Still Hunt 
Finding Tuhta . . . . 

Eastward, Ho! . . . . 

Some New York Experiences 
Giving and Thieving 
A Little Morning Talk 
The Rest of the Eliots 
Plain Speech between Friends . 
The Mystery Explained 
Conclusion 


244 

251 

260 

270 

288 

300 

306 

315 

328 

335 

343 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

“ ‘ Whoever you are, can you help me? ’ ” . . Frontispiece 151 

“ On the threshold, as was promised, was Ramon waiting ” . 39 

“ ‘ You blessed old fellow ! Do you know me ? ’ ” . . . 88 

‘ I have come, sir, to bring you news of your child ’ ” . . 181 

“ ‘ Would you like some nosegays, little ones ? ’ ” . . . 298 


9 






« 




‘I , 
*- • 











A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Ei)e Storg of an American ?Prmcej5S. 


CHAPTER I. 

IN THE CITY OF THE ANGELS. 

JT was Christmas Eve in Los Angeles — or Lah- 
Sanglus, as the natives speak it. The fair 
southwestern city was alive from border to border 
with sights beautiful enough to well merit its 
significant name, The City of the Angels.” 

Even Patience Eliot, who had seen all these 
yearly merrymakings ever since she could remem- 
ber, found this particular Christmas Eve more 
delightful than any other. But her reason for 
this added enjoyment was easy enough to find. 
She herself expressed it exactly when she said, 
swaying lightly in her saddle toward the gray- 


11 


12 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


mustached gentleman who rode his black steed so 
closely beside her own white one : — 

I’ve always loved the ^ Noche Buena/ dad, dear, 
but to-night I’m almost too happy to live. It’s just 
the having you with me, I suppose, that makes the 
lights seem brighter, the flowers lovelier, and every- 
thing just — glorious ! ” 

The gentleman smiled fondly upon the animated 
face bent toward him, then hastily clutched her 
bridle-rein, and skilfully whirled Blanco about out 
of harm’s way. 

Take care! We’re not on the plains here. Pa- 
tience ; and Blanco’s restless. That trolley car very 
nearly hit him on the haunch. If it had, there’d 
have been trouble.” 

^^He is restless. I don’t see what makes him so 
to-night. He’s been into town ever so many times, 
and behaved beautifully. He has always just acted 
as if trolley cars and street bands were beneath his 
notice.” 

^“^He’s caught the fever of excitement that pos- 
sesses everybody. If you’ve had enough of this 
street, let’s go over into the Mexican quarter. It’s 
quieter there, and ever so much more picturesque.” 


IN THE CITY OF THE ANGELS. 1 3 

The fair-headed girl on the milk-white horse was 
herself already being gazed upon as one of the holi- 
day sights; and though both she and her father 
were quite accustomed to this, he had never learned 
to enjoy it ; and for that reason, quite as much as 
for Blanco’s restiveness, had suggested the detour. 

^^Yes, let’s go; and maybe there I can finish 
buying the gifts.” 

^^Why, aren’t they all purchased yet?” 

Patience made a funny little grimace. 

You see, dad, dear, there surely was never before 
such an array of beautiful things to tempt me. The 
money you gave me is all gone ; for, after I’d seen 
the handsome things, I couldn’t make up my mind 
to buy any of the cheap ones. So there are still 
Rosa and Carlotta, Basilio, old Abraham, and my 
own Gaspar to provide for. I shall need a lot more 
money, I expect. Will it be all right, dear?” 

suppose so, daughter. ^Christmas comes but 
once a year’ is the old saying, and I reckon every- 
body spends more in buying gifts than they intend. 
But it’s all right, of course. Don’t let a cloud rest 
for a moment on your face to-night, darling. I’ve 
thrown care to the winds for once, and here we are.” 


14 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Prancing and curvetting in a manner that still 
excited the wonder of the throngs they passed, but 
of which their riders took little heed, the black 
horse and the white, Blanco and Negro (Nay-gro), 
turned a corner and were in the Mexican quarter. 

The long, low, rambling old adobe structures 
looked almost squalid, at first sight, in contrast 
with the palatial buildings of the streets they had 
just left; but the locality had a charm of its own 
for the Eliots, and they had soon tossed their 
reins to a couple of swarthy youngsters and 
entered one of the shops. 

^^How dark it seems after the electric lights 
of the streets ! but how delightful, too ! ” cried 
Patience, as she caught hold of her father’s hand 
to draw him farther toward a low counter, 
whereon were heaped a pile of blankets of brill- 
iant coloring and odd geometrical patterns. ^^See! 
here is a beauty. That will just do for Rosa ; she 
has none half so handsome ! ” 

^^And what does fat old Rosa want of another 
blanket ? If I remember rightly, you’ve been 
buying them for her ever since she came to cook 
for us.” 


IN THE CITY OF THE ANGELS. 


15 


^^Ah! but^ dad, dear, Rosa has a hobby — it’s 
collecting Navajo (Nah-vah-hoe) blankets. She has 
thirteen now, but she says that’s an unlucky num- 
ber; and she hinted very strongly to me that, if 
I were going to make her any Christmas gift, a 
fourteenth would be the most acceptable. So you 
see — ” 

see that the crafty Rosa works upon your 
sympathies, my dear. Well, ask the price.” 

Patience smiled upon the little dark-eyed maid 
who served her, in response to the familiar greet- 
ing and the pretty salutation of the season, uttered 
in the native’s own liquid tongue; and her own 
reply was couched in Spanish quite as pure and 
musical. It was evident that she was no stranger 
in the little shop and was a welcome visitor. 

The price was named, half apologetically ; but 
Mr. Eliot repeated it in accents of amazement 
and the most distinct English : — 

Seventy-five dollars for that blue monstros- 
ity! Why, Patience, you’ll never — ” 

Ah, but I will — if you will 1 Yes, it is blue. 
Very, very blue. As blue as the skies that who- 
ever wove it tried to imitate.” 


1 6 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

^^Poor sky, to be doomed to that hardness of 
tone ! It’s a libel on nature, child. Liken it to 
something else.” 

^‘Well, then, it’s blue — as blue. But think of 
the skill which could find such dyes in just ber- 
ries and seeds and barks, and use them for such 
a purpose. That yellow is as like our own Cali- 
fornia poppies as possible ; and the scarlet — isn’t 
that the very shade of a wild plum when it’s 
ripe ? And the colors never fade. Think of that, 
too. It’s all the more wonderful that these poor 
untaught creatures are as wise as they are.” 

Hold on. Patience ! don’t get on to the Indian 
question to-night, I beg. We haven’t time.” 

It’s very fine, senor,” interposed the shop- 
maiden, fingering lovingly the gayly tinted blan- 
ket, that was, indeed, fine almost as silk and 
thick as a carpet. 

Yes, dad, see ! The weave is wonderful. Think 
of the weaver sitting day after day, passing these 
hair-fine threads back and forth, one at a time — 
for such an almost endless time. Why, I suppose, 
it took years of labor to finish this one blanket. 
I shouldn’t think she could do more than an inch 


IN THE CITY OF THE ANGELS. I 7 

a day — maybe not half so much as that — could 
she?’^ 

^^Not if she’s like the average Indian/’ said Mr. 
Eliot, dryly. 

And if it took a whole year to finish such a 
beautiful thing, why, seventy-five dollars wouldn’t 
be very much for the toil of a whole year, would 
it, dad, dear?” 

^^Even if the result is not to the taste of a 
practical Yankee. No, probably not. But I pro- 
test against any more such expensive gifts. Kosa 
has enriched herself at the cost of her fellow- 
servants. Though she’s not the one to mind that. 
Not . in the least.” 

Patience laughed and went with her eager at- 
tendant to the rear of the low-studded store, where 
were heaped upon a wide counter a medley of 
quaint and curious things ; each and all having 
that half-foreign air about them that is so attrac- 
tive to the average tourist, but which was as 
natural to Patience as the California sunshine into 
which she had been born. 

Her other purchases were swiftly made. She 
had seen on the face of her beloved ^^dad” a little 


1 8 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

look of weariness growing. Nothing weighed in 
this daughter’s mind against real pain to her 
father. She knew he had made a sacrifice to 
come with her on this Christmas Eve ; that the 
little trip was full of reminders to him of other 
and similar outings made long years before, with 
her own mother, whose early death had left the 
world so different a place to him. So she made 
haste to finish, selecting a heavy saddle of odd 
Mexican fashion for old Abraham, a sombrero for 
another, a pile of exquisitely wrought baskets for 
Carlotta ; pipes and pouches and a gay waist scarf 
for her own groom, Gaspar; and in less than five 
minutes the two had emerged from the store, and 
instinctively Patience led the way out of that 
quarter toward the modern part of the old city. 

The little dark-eyed lads followed, leading the 
two thoroughbred horses, who were as well-known 
to everybody as their owners, and feeling proud 
of the honor quite as truly as they would be glad 
of the generous tips sure to reward their service 
when the time for dismissal came. 

Now, this is jolly ! How bright the streets 
are again ! And such flowers ! Surely the gar- 


IN THE CITY OF THE ANGELS. 1 9 

dens have all been stripped to deck the store win- 
dows. Look out, dad, dear ! there’s a fire-cracker 
just before you.” 

It’s as bad as a Fourth of July in the East ! ” 
exclaimed Mr. Eliot, springing aside, just in time 
to escape the explosion of a giant cracker. “But, 
I declare ! it makes me feel as if I were a boy 
again and must take a hand in the business. 
Let’s step inside this doorway and watch the fun 
for a bit.” 

Patience obeyed and took her place beside her 
father on the threshold of a jeweller’s store, and 
for some time enjoyed with him the watching of 
the boys upon the street — busy with torpedoes 
and crackers, red fire or rockets, and all the rol- 
licking racket so dear to the youthful heart. But 
finally the girl’s ears tired of the noise, and she 
exclaimed : — 

“Well, dad, dear, you’ll never be anything but a 
boy, I believe. Shall we not have enough of fire- 
works at Santa Paula to-morrow without deafening 
ourselves here to-night? I’m going to study the 
pretty things in the window, and if I see some- 
thing very fine I shall tax you for it as a gift.” 


20 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


The window was indeed well worth studying. 
Its decorations were not the usual wreaths of holly 
and mistletoe, but great branches of yellow and 
red roses, banks of maidenhair ferns and of mosses 
so deep and green that the diamonds displayed on 
them seemed like dewdrops flashing in the electric 
rays of the great lights overhead. 

Patience had no fondness for the wearing of 
jewels, but she had a full appreciation of their 
beauty in themselves; and she was deep in her 
enjoyment of the shifting hues and brilliancy of 
an enormous solitaire, when something crashed 
rudely against her, and, before she could recover 
herself, her shoulder had struck against the glass 
with force sufficient to break it. 

^^What — ” she cried, but got no further. Some- 
thing heavy and fur-coated leaped to her shoulder 
and bore her downward, while her waist was 
clutched by the claws of another terrified beast. 
Shocked into silence she clinched her hands and 
waited for the sequel. 

Ah ! ya, ya ! Have a care, si ! ” called in 
Spanish a girlish voice, vibrant with distress. 

But they are harmless — quite ! ” 


IN THE CITY OF THE ANGELS. 


21 


Then Patience comprehended. The trained 
pumas of Tulita, the ^lion tamer!’ Some accident 
has happened.” 

Call them off, girl 1 For mercy’s sake save 
her ! ” shouted Mr. Eliot, pallid with anxiety and 
striving with his own hands to dislodge the sinu- 
ous, clinging creatures from his child’s body. 

Oh, miserere, but they will not harm — surely 
they will not harm I Only hurt them not — I did 
not — ” 

The protesting outcry of the Indian girl was 
drowned in a babel of tongues, and the excitement 
of the crowd that had instantly collected about 
the jeweller’s store grew fiercer every second. 

Take care 1 ” Take care 1 ” Oh-h-h ! ” A 
shuddering groan ran from lip to lip — the noise 
of the crowd was hushed ; there was only that 
terrible trampling and beating of steel-shod hoofs 
upon the ground and upon the poor lion tamer 
who had fallen there. 


CHAPTER II. 


TWO DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA. 

A A 7HILE it froze others to horror, that sound 
^ ^ recalled Patience Eliot from her own terror. 

The horses have broken loose ! They are kill- 
ing her ! ” she cried, and leaped to Blanco’s head. 
“ Blanco — oh, Blanco — quiet at once ! ” 

But the spirited horse had been too wildly 
excited by the unusual noise of the streets to 
respond as he commonly did to her word of com- 
mand. He still plunged and snorted, gathering 
fresh fear from the presence of the pumas, which 
still clung about his mistress’s slender person, and 
which she was unable yet to shake off. Mean- 
while Negro had also wrenched himself free from 
the lad who had led him, and was clattering down 
the street, spreading dismay in his flight. What 
the outcome would have been can only be sur- 
mised, but at the instant when the danger seemed 


22 


TWO DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA. 


23 


greatest, a tall figure forced its way through the 
crowd to Patience’s side, and a strange guttural 
cry overpowered all other sounds. 

Down ! To me come at once ! Instante ! Ce, 
ce, ce ! ” 

The effect was magical. The pumas ceased 
clinging to Patience, and slid from her to the new- 
comer — a dark, fawn-skinned half-breed of the 
Mexican-Indian type, whose age might have been 
anywhere from fifty to a hundred, judging from 
the parchment-like skin that covered his thin, 
majestic features. 

Even Blanco, who rarely obeyed any other as 
he did his own young mistress, but who had at 
this time been regardless of her entreaties, stopped 
plunging and stood quiet, if still trembling, as the 
man’s masterful tones fell on his ear. 

As for Patience, infinite relief lightened her 
terror, and she caught his arm in an ecstasy of 
delight. 

^*Ah, Ramon, is it thou? Help her — Tulita. 
Is she hurt?” 

Even while he stooped to lift the prostrated 
girl, the Indian smiled upon his questioner, though 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


24 

his face was anxious; and he raised poor Tulita 
as tenderly as he might. 

Ahj so, my daughter! Art thou suffering?” 
he asked, in that patois of two languages common 
to his race. 

The familiar tones revived the fainting lion 
tamer,” and with a feeling of shame that she had 
allowed herself to be overcome, even by the on- 
rush of an excited horse, Tulita de la Yega (Prin- 
cess Tulita, as her own people acknowledged her) 
shook herself free of the sustaining arm, and stood 
alone. 

Thou here, Kamon ? Thou comest late ! ” she 
cried ; but even as the words were spoken the 
faintness overcame her again, and Tulita would 
have fallen a second time had not Patience caught 
and supported her. 

You poor girl ! You are hurt somewhere 
badly. Where is it? Oh, I see — your arm!” 

^^It is nothing,” murmured Tulita, though she 
leaned heavily against her friend. 

^'Patience, are you injured?” cried Mr. Eliot, 
who had only at that instant made way through 
the press to his daughter’s side. 


TPVO DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA, 


25 

dad, dear; don’t look so worried. But 
poor Tiilita — won’t you send somebody to help 
her?” 

“ Is there a doctor in the crowd ? ” asked Mr. 
Eliot, lifting his voice to be heard above the 
clamor. 

No doctor responded, but the irate shopkeeper 
forced himself to the gentleman’s side. 

^^It serves her right, sir. Those Indian fakirs 
and jugglers are the biggest nuisance of the time. 
I trust you won’t take her part. Fm the injured 
party in this case. My plate-glass window is 
broken; my Christmas display ruined; my whole 
evening’s trade stopped ! See there ! ” 

Mr. Eliot turned about and faced the damage, 
but before he could answer. Patience interrupted : — 
Beg pardon, sir ; but it was I who broke 
that window. You will lose nothing by me, be 
assured.” 

You, daughter ? ” 

^^Yes. Somebody threw a cracker, the horse 
plunged, poor Tulita was thrown down, and I 
fell through the window. What does that trum- 
pery thing matter ? The nearest doctor is what 


26 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


we want to find now, and to get Tulita’s wounds 
looked after. Where is one ? ” 

A dozen voices answered, giving as many dif- 
ferent directions ; but all were silenced by that 
of the puma princess ” herself, who, having 
finally and fully recovered her senses, assumed 
command, as seemed her habit. 

I need no white doctor, I. Ramon has skill 
enough and to spare. Are the cubs secured and 
muzzled, tio ? ’’ (uncle). 

^^My daughter. Let us away.” 

The Indian flung the curiously woven horsehair 
rope, by which the pumas were led, across his 
shoulder and turned to leave the spot ; but the 
people slunk before him as if the beasts still 
menaced their comfort, and the old man laughed 
maliciously. 

^^Fear ye that we will work you evil, my prin- 
cess and I? Well, we might — :we might, because 
of the treatment we have received this Noche 
Buena.” 

^'Silence, tio mio. The pets are surely harm- 
less, good folks. Their spirits have been well 
broken, poor things. We have cheated nature of 


TWO DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA. 


27 


her rights just to give a gaping crowd a little 
amusement and ourselves a bit of Christmas 
bread. But, bah! The beautiful wild creatures 
have lost their freedom in vain. They have 
brought you no pleasure of sight-seeing and us no 
coins. Verdad, it is well. We will go back to the 
plains where we belong and trouble the city no 
more.’' 

But not so fast, young woman 1 ” cried a 
police officer, who laid his hand upon Tulita’s 
shoulder. There’s more damage done than you 
seem to acknowledge. You are my prisoner.” 

Prisoner ? — Prisoner ! I ? — I! ” 

Exactly. No trouble, please.” 

Patience bounded from her father’s side to that 
of this other girl, whose age was so near her own 
and who had had for her a peculiar fascination 
whenever a chance meeting in the city had 
brought them face to face. A wider contrast 
could scarcely have been afforded than between 
the haughty, ill-clad, but strangely beautiful Indian 
princess ” and the fair-haired, wealthy daughter 
of a higher civilization, and people paused to 
watch them as they stood thus for a moment side 


28 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


by side — protector and protected — but American 
both, from the crowns of their shapely heads to 
the tips of their restless feet. 

^^What do you mean, sir?” 

Daughter ! ” remonstrated Mr. Eliot ; but 
Patience was too excited to hear him. 

‘‘ What do you mean ? For what do you 
arrest — my friend ? ” 

^^Your friend? Er — I am sorry, but — ” 

^^But what?” 

The jeweller himself explained. 

She is deft-fingered, this puma tamer. Under 
the pretence of a bodily injury she has rifled my 
show-window of my famous diamond — the stone 
of which Miss Eliot must surely have heard, as 
all on the Pacific coast have heard.” 

But the obsequious bow which attended this 
statement failed to impress one whit the angry, 
romantic Patience. In reality she knew actually 
nothing of Tulita and her character, but the fancy 
she had taken to her in their former chance meet- 
ings sprang now, by this mischance, into a full- 
fledged friendship, impetuous and unreasoning as 
her nature was generous and trusting. 


TPVO DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA. 


29 


have neither heard of nor care for your dia- 
mond, sir. That is, as you mean. And if any- 
body has stolen it, it is quite as likely to be I as 
this poor, injured girl. It was I who fell through 
the window, or into it. I may have pushed the 
stone down into the moss where it lay. I noticed 
how pretty it looked, like a crystallized dewdrop, 
but Tulita hasn’t taken it. I’ll vouch for her.” 

Mr. Eliot laid his hand on his daughter’s 
shoulder, and this time she heeded him. 

Dear, do you know this girl — this ^ Princess 
Tulita’?” 

Oh, dad, dear, help us out of this scrape 1 
Did you ever see anything so stupid ? Accusing 
Tulita of stealing when she was down on the 
ground, being trampled under the feet of Blanco 
himself. I’m indignant enough to send the dia- 
mond loser to the lockup in her place for just 
the accusation. Make him understand, please, 
that what he says is impossible. Poor Tulita is 
in agony. She must not be so tortured. Please, 
dad, dear ! ” 

Mr. Eliot’s face had become suddenly abstracted. 
It wore, also, a look of pain, as if some poignant 


30 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


memory had overtaken him and carried his 
thoughts far from the scene in which he stood. 
He was not fond of Indians as his daughter was, 
and against half-breeds in particular he had much 
reason to feel dislike. He did not speak till 
Patience touched him again. 

Please, dad, dear, help us.” 

Have you ever seen this girl before. Patience ? ” 
he asked at length. 

^^Ever so many times.” 

Where ? ” 

Here — on Los Angeles’s streets. I’ve often 
stopped to watch her playing with her pets, and 
wondered how she could have trained them ; but 
they seem to love her. She has charmed them, I 
suppose.” 

And she has charmed you, it seems, but — 
but — ” 

He turned and scrutinized the face of the 
Indian girl, who stood so conspicuous a centre of 
observation. From her effort to suppress all 
sign of her physical suffering its expression was 
almost stolid, but. there was an indignant gleam 
in her dark eyes and a proud carriage of her 


TPVO DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA. 


31 


head that impressed him favorably in spite of his 
natural prejudice. 

Patience, always quick to read his countenance, 
saw its hardness soften and caught his hand 
eagerly. 

Oh, dad, do be kind to her ! For my sake — 
for the festival we keep, the blessed Navidad — 
don’t make it a sorrowful fast day for this poor 
heathen, as she may be ! ” 

Tulita interrupted. 

Plead not for the daughter of La Yega — 
lady. You have called Tulita ^ friend.’ Thus 
you have made a blessed Navidad — no matter 
what befalls. I know you, even though you dare 
not say that you know me. You are the daugh- 
ter of the rich white man, whose sheep are on a 
thousand hill-tops, wLose vines drain the life from 
a thousand valleys. If you want silver, his ser- 
vants dig it from our mountains. If you would 
journey from land to land, his horses are every- 
where ; even more, it is he who owns the monster 
wheels that run upon two slender tracks and crush 
the life out of our straying cattle, too ignorant — 
like their masters — to keep away from the white 


32 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


man’s path. All along the plains^ las vegas, 
whence I came, you may count their carcasses, 
there by the white man’s road where they have 
fallen. It has been a trap to lure them to death. 
This, too, has been a trap for poor Tulita, and 
she accepts what has befallen. I thought to 
make a holiday for my household with the coins 
I should gather to-night ; it has been ordered 
otherwise. Plead not for me — I will not plead 
for myself — but let old Kamon go, and the poor 
beasts, back to their home, out of the sight of 
our enemies ; for Tulita — she is ready.” 

A profound silence had fallen over the entire 
crowd while the girl had been speaking. It might 
have been due to the presence and interest of 
‘^Bonanza Eliot” and his fair-haired daughter; 
but something was also due to the simple dignity 
of the princess” herself, and the rapid speech, 
which was yet so clear that not a syllable was 
lost. 

That ain’t no common Injun. She’s been 

taught in some mission, that’s plain ; and she’s 

♦ 

purty, too, for a redskin,” commented somebody 
in the crowd. 


TU^O DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA. 33 

Greaser, more like. A greaser is good for 
nothing but to kill ! ” answered a comrade. 

Old Ramon heard the comments and flamed 
with revengeful wrath. His hand sought his belt, 
where his knife lay ever ready to avenge an in- 
sult, and no taunt could fire his blood like that 
one, in his case undeserved, word, greaser.” 

But Tulita’s hand was as swift as his and 
stayed him with a gesture. His face sobered, 
and, bending on her a look of reverent affection, 
he ejaculated : — 

^^As the princess wills. But her arm must be 
attended ! ” 

^^Yes, yes, dad, dear! All this while Tulita is 
suffering. Do make the men let her go, and we’ll 
find a doctor at once.” 

Money does many things. And to some of 
that gaping crowd David Eliot represented incar- 
nate money. A moment later he had turned to 
the jeweller quietly and said : — 

Whatever is needed I will advance.” Then, 
to the officer : '' At this gentleman’s desire you 
are not to make the arrest. Tell your prisoner 
that she is free, if you please.” 


34 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


It was certainly a proceeding not according to* 
the ^^code,” but one that was fully satisfactory 
to Patience, at least. She promptly comprehended 
the matter and again encircled Tulita’s waist, cry- 
ing, joyfully: — 

You see it was all a mistake, poor thing ! 
You are no more a prisoner than I am; so let’s 
hurry off to some doctor and get your hurt arm 
fixed. I’m so sorry it happened, and it was all 
my fault or Blanco’s — and that’s the same thing.” 

But Tulita resisted quietly. 

There is no fault, but — his!” and she fixed 
her glowing eyes on the jeweller’s face. But 
his time abides. I shall never forget — not for 
one hour — what you have done for me this 
night. Who calls the ‘ Prince'fes of La Vega ’ 
friend — and proves it as you have proved it — 
has touched upon a spring within Tulita’s heart 
that will never run dry. Till we meet again — 
farewell 1 ” 

Another moment and the princess,” old Ramon, 
and his pumas had been swallowed up in the 
crowd, nor could the direction they had taken be 
even guessed. 


TPVO DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA. 


35 


More amused than chagrined, Mr. Eliot looked 
into the perplexed face of his daughter. ^^Well, 
my dear, that’s just as I expected. And I reckon 
this missing diamond will cost me a deal more 
even than old Rosa’s blanket. It’s been rather 
an expensive trip, this gift-buying one of ours. 
Patience. So, let’s go home ! ” 

It will be all right, dad. Tulita will make 
it all right. This isn’t the end of this business 
— you’ll see. Wait awhile.” 

Exactly ! ” 

But you’ll never be sorry — as you would have 
been if you’d sent Tulita, an innocent girl, to 
the lockup to keep her Christmas. You’ll see ! 
She’ll come back and surprise us some day, I 
know.” 

H’m ! ^ You know.’ How do you know. Miss 

Patty? ” 

^^Well, I don’t know just how I know, but I do 
know, all the same ; I feel it.” 

And what an eighteen-year old specimen of 
womanhood feels, is sure to be fact. Eh ? ” 

Laugh away, dad, dear. Time will tell. I’ve 
faith in Tulita, ‘ Princess of La Vega,’ and all 


36 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST 


your raillery can’t shake it any more than I be- 
lieve that the great diamond is really lost.” 

You ‘ feel ’ that notion^ too, I suppose ? ” 

^^Yes — strongly.” 

“Well, I ^ feel’ hungry. Let’s take this cab 
and follow our runaway horses to the stable of 
our hotel, where we shall probably find them.” 


CHAPTER III. 


THE HOME BY THE ARROYO. 

'^ULITA and old Ramon travelled swiftly, but 
neither spoke a word until they had left the 
beautiful city, with its avenue of palms, its rose- 
covered homes, and its quaint mixture of ancient 
and modern civilization far behind them. 

Then, at length, said Ramon : It is three 

leagues now. Shall we rest?” 

‘^La Vega rests not this night save in the shel- 
ter of her own home by the arroyo.” 

Ramon grunted his guttural assent and moved 
steadily forward. The miles they had journeyed 
under the stars had not apparently fatigued either 
in the least, though this new sense of pain which 
turned Tulita faint now and then had really hin- 
dered her movements somewhat. Commonly it 
was not Ramon who was the leader on any trail, 
and it fretted her proud spirit that he should be, 
even under these circumstances. 


37 


38 


M DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


The girl spoke again and petulantly : — 

Thou makest waste of strength, tio raio (uncle 
mine). There are still two hours before the break 
of Navidad. A¥e can be at our prayers long by 
that time.” 

^^And Tulita tarries for her own hurt as she 
would not for that of another. While the night 
wanes, the wound swells.” 

‘^Let it swell, then, since it pains nobody save 
thy princess.” 

Tulita asks the impossible. Eamon will meet 
thee at thy own threshold.” 

The old man made a profound reverence and 
leaped forward. For a few seconds longer the 
soft echo of his moccasined feet on the dry sward 
disturbed the silence of the night, then all was 
■ still. 

When she was sure that she was quite alone, 
Tulita knelt down upon the herbage and raised 
her eyes skyward. If she were praying, she ut- 
tered no sound, and her injured arm hung limply 
by her side; but she rose again, after a moment, 
and pressed rapidly forward as if refreshed, with a 
light upon her countenance that outshone the stars. 


THE HOME BY THE ARROYOl 


39 


Friend ! She called me friend ! She, the fair 
paleface to whom fate has given all that should 
have been mine. Fate? Is not fate the Great 
Spirit? And she was just, as he is just. Maybe 
it is she and I, daughters both of this fair land, 
who shall clasp hands at last in peace ! Home 
now, and rest for this degrading pain ! ” 

A little later, and she had reached the osier- 
bordered arroyo where, amid a cluster of low 
adobe huts, was one slightly better than the rest, 
set apart by her people for the use of their prin- 
cess alone. 

On the threshold, as he had promised, was Ra- 
mon waiting. He had made ready a bundle of dry 
tule reeds and a moist plaster of native clay, but 
his manner was almost deprecating, even though 
his object was to relieve her pain. 

To Tulita it had seemed an indignity that she 
should suffer any physical ill. From her infancy 
she had been trained to hardness and exposure, 
and no disease had ever touched her. It was with 
a shadow of repugnance, almost of refusal, that 
she looked upon the preparations Ramon had made. 
Then she rallied and was her proud self again. 


40 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


will not heal without all this, tio mio?” 
she asked quietly. 

^^It will heal, surely; but forever after will the 
Princess de la Yega walk the earth like a bird 
which the hunter has snared in its youth.” 

Let it be soon done, then,” she said, and bared 
her swollen arm to the shoulder. 

Few trained surgeons could have handled such 
an injured limb more deftly and tenderly than old 
Ramon. Indeed, he would far sooner have endured 
the hurt himself than that any such blemish should 
come upon his beloved Tulita, his relative and he- 
reditary princess, the very last of their race. 

He brought the experience of a lifetime to bear 
upon the task, which was performed in the silent 
secrecy of Tulita’s own dwelling, and by the fit- 
ful glow of a burning rush dipped in some sort of 
oil. When it was over, the princess lay upon her 
rude bed in the hut corner, with a weighty mass 
of fast-hardening clay clasping her aching arm like 
a vise, and with a faintness creeping over her that 
frightened even old Ramon. 

Listen, Tulita, my daughter. I will watch be- 
side thee always, till thou art able once again to 


THE HOME BY THE ARROYO. 


41 


walk over thy plains free as thou hast always been. 
No other shall come near thee — not one of the 
chattering women. When thou art hungry I will 
feed thee, and I will bring milk for thy thirst. 
When thou callest me I shall hear — always. La 
Vega may rest in peace; and, before I go, drink 
this.” 

The old man held a cup of some Indian-brewed 
compound of herbs toward her. She took it obe- 
diently with her sound hand, and drank it all. 
Then she said simply: — 

It is well. Let Ramon go and keep his word. 
Not one must see Tulita thus. She understands 
her father in the tribe. She is grateful, and Tu- 
lita never forgets.” 

The rude door of the hut opened and closed, 
leaving the Indian girl alone to keep her Christ- 
mas festival in her proud solitude of pain. But 
outside the threshold old Ramon spread his blan- 
ket, and remained for many days a barrier between 
the princess and the curious women of her tribe, 
with their reiterated question: — 

^^What happened to La Vega on Noche Buena 
in the town, that she hides her face in shame and 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


42 

makes no fiesta for her people as the good padres 
bade?” 

^^When Tulita keeps silence it is not for Ramon 
to talk. Get you all back to your baskets and 
your babies, and leave in peace the one maiden in 
the world who can yet hold her tongue.” 

Then, grown careless in security, it may be, this 
tireless guardian, under cover of the night-time, 
stretched his cramped limbs in a long run over 
the plains. As he went, an old squaw, more wake- 
ful than the rest, crept softly to the door of the 
adobe hut and peeped cautiously in. 

Tulita ! Tulita ! light of our darkness, what 
ails thee to hide from us so?” 

There was no answer. Emboldened by the silence, 
the woman entered. The moonlight shone through 
the doorway and lighted the narrow interior. The 
pallet of rushes and fern leaves was neatly piled 
in its corner; Tulita’ s blanket lay folded on its 
foot, but the hut was empty. 


CHAPTER IV. 


ON THE HOME KOAD. 



OME, daughter, please to eat your supper. 


We must finish and be ofi. There is no 
moonlight to guide us, and we have a couple of 
hours’ hard riding if we would reach home before 
midnight. Unless, indeed, you’d rather go out by 
the ^owl train’ with Caspar and the parcels.” 

But you, dad, dear ? Which do you prefer ? ” 
When did I ever choose a railway train if a 
horse’s back would answer? Only, remember, this 
is your own Noche Buena. I am in your hands 
to dispose of exactly as you will, from buying Na- 
vajo blankets to bailing out Digger Indians from 
the lockup.” 

^^Now, dad, they were not ^Diggers.’ You know 
that ! The old man was tall and stately, and the 
girl — wby, Tulita is beautiful ! A Digger, indeed ! 
I’ve often heard that girl called ^ royal,’ and I be- 


43 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


44 

lieve she is. That her ancestors had a deal better 
right to California than we have. That for your 
Digger ! But are the horses quite all right ? Are 
neither of them the worse for their fright down 
town ? ” 

No worse, but rather more restless. That’s one 
reason their owners should take the nonsense out 
of them by a sharp trot to Santa Paula.” 

^^I’m glad you’d rather ride — this way. I had, 
of course. That goes without saying, and I’m 
quite ready.” 

As she spoke. Patience rose from the hotel table 
and crossed the great dining room with that alert 
decision of movement that was so like her father’s 
own. He followed, pausing only to return the 
salutations and greetings — most of them obsequi- 
ous — that attended their short passage to the 
street. 

But the manner of both was far simpler and 
more natural than that of the two servants who 
waited their coming on the curbstone, each hold- 
ing one of the horses which had created such ex- 
citement in the business quarter an hour or two 
before. 


ON THE HOME ROAD. 


45 


Gaspar, is Blanco ready to behave himself 
at last?” asked Patience, barely touching with her 
foot the palm of her attendant’s hand as he swung 
her to her saddle. 

Gaspar was in holiday attire, and the height of 
importance. He was devoted to his mistress, but 
his vanity was extreme, and he could not lose this 
opportunity of displaying his grandeur to an admir- 
ing public. He swelled his chest, covered with a 
crimson velvet waistcoat, till he reminded Patience 
of nothing so much as one of the Bantam roosters 
at home on the ranch. Then he placed his hand 
over his heart and bowed reverentially. 

Blanco will have the honor to serve the senorita 
well.” 

You silly, good Gaspar 1 ” laughed Patience, 
under her breath. Why don’t you answer in just 
everyday plain English ? But, anyhow, you’ll take 
good care of all the parcels, won’t you ? And as 
you’ll be at Santa Paula long before we are, please 
put everything into the great drawing-room and 
turn the key of its door. Don’t let a single person 
go peeping, Gaspar boy, if you would have me 
enjoy my Christmas. Besides, I warn you, if you 


46 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

let out my secrets beforehand^ your own Navidad 
gifts will be wanting.” 

I kiss the feet of my mistress, but Gaspar be- 
trays no trust. In that he is different from some 
others — less fortunate,” with which the Spaniard 
fixed a stern eye upon old Tomas, who had been 
less favored with commissions than himself. 

Tomas flushed, but he tossed his head haughtily ; 
and, foreseeing some little difficulties by the way, 
when these two should have gained the seclusion 
of the late train that would bear them over his 
private road to Santa Paula, Mr. Eliot’s kind heart 
interfered. 

^‘Here, Tomas, you can take care of this for 
me. I shall not need it, only pay a few tips 
to the hotel servants, please. You know the usual 
amounts. Then hand it to me at the ranch.” 

It was Tomas’s turn to bridle and glow with 
pride, and Mr. Eliot’s peculiar action was not so 
foolish as it might have seemed to any stranger. 
He had, indeed, forgotten the favors he had meant 
to bestow, and he would have answered for Tomas’s 
honesty as positively as his own. The purse held 
an uncounted sum, not especially large, which Mr. 


ON THE HOME ROAD. 


47 


Eliot would not need on his homeward ride, and 
money he rarely carried about his person. But 
whatever amount the purse contained he knew 
would be returned to him, minus the deductions he 
had authorized made. 

Won’t you give Tomas your purse, too. Pa- 
tience ? ” he asked, himself pleased to see that he 
had already given pleasure to a faithful attendant. 

Will you have it, caballero ? ” asked the girl, 
merrily, and tossed a very flat little bag into the 
outstretched hand. Look first and see ! ” 

Tomas bowed and opened the bag. Not a cent 
was within, and, shaking its emptiness tragically 
above the pavement with that extravagance of ges- 
ture to which his race was given, he gravely closed 
it and placed it in his bosom. 

A laugh arose at the pantomime, and before it 
subsided the riders had passed swiftly down the 
street toward that suburban road which led over 
miles of rolling lands to the vast hacienda (estate) 
of Santa Paula, their home. 

Mr. Eliot rode in silence, which, for some time, 
his daughter respected. He was a busy man, 
working always with that clear brain of his at 


48 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


one or other of his gigantic enterprises and keep- 
ing always a complete record of each in his mental 
storehouse. It was his theory that a man who 
had been so singularly p ^spered as he had been 
owed all his time to the world, and his own pri- 
vate life was a simple and unselfish one. 

But finally Patience could endure the silence no 
longer. She was excited by her trip into town 
and its incidents, and eager to discuss them with 
her father. 

Is it to be a quiet ride all the way, dad, dear ? 
Are you very busy thinking? Can’t you take a 
real holiday just for to-night?” 

Thanks, daughter. I promised you all this 
Christmastide, didn’t I? And you do well to re- 
mind me if I break my word. Talk away now. 
Patience. Dad is all attention.” 

^^Well, then, where do you suppose that Tulita 
lives?” 

^‘1 couldn’t ^suppose.’ She had a different ap- 
pearance from the ordinary Indians we meet on 
the plains, yet I do not know of any such race or 
family as hers on the mountains hereabout. She 
had a more cultivated speech than common with 


ON THE HOME ROAD. 


49 


lier class. And are you so greatly interested in 
her ? ” 

am. I cannot keep her out of mind. I’ve 
been trying to think of the things I want to do 
to-morrow, and all that, but every few seconds 
Tulita’s sad, proud face comes between me and my 
thoughts, and I can’t help it. Oh, I wish there 
wasn’t such a thing as anybody — not a single 
body — being poor and unhappy. Unless — ” 
Unless what, dear?” 

had the power to make them all glad again. 
And Tulita must be very, very poor, I should 
think, to be willing to train wild-cats for a living. 
Whenever I think of how they sprang upon me 
when she was thrown down beside me, it makes me 
shudder and feel ill. Ugh ! ” 

Don’t think of them. Patience. In any case 
she assured you that they were harmless ; that their 
ferocity had been conquered. But the Indians 
understand nature and how to deal with animals 
of every kind better than we do, with all our civili- 
zation. One thing you can do. The next time 
you see Tulita on the street you can make her a 
present.’’ 


50 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


I feel as if she would never go upon 
the street like that again. She was awfully of- 
fended at being accused of thieving.’' 

^^Well she might be — if she were innocent. 
Keal scoundrels are all too plenty in this world, 
and God pity the soul that is unjustly ac- 
cused ! ” 

There was such an earnest ring to Mr. Eliot’s 
voice that it surprised his daughter, well though 
she supposed she knew all his ways. 

Why, dad, how strongly you speak. As if you, 
too, really felt sorry for Tulita.” 

I do, assuredly.” 

But she is an ^ Injun ’ ! ” said the girl, mis- 
chievously. 

^^And dad doesn’t hanker for her race. True 
enough ; but whatever the skin that covers the 
flesh, human nature is pretty much the same. It’s 
an awful thing for her to bear away into the future 
the thought that there is anywhere in the world 
a person who believes her a thief, — that is, if she 
is not one.” 

^^Dad, you are always so strong on that point. 
You so continually warn me against unjust judg- 


ON THE HOME ROAD. 5 I 

ment. Did you ever know anybody you cared for 
who was unjustly accused of any crime ? ” 

Mr. Eliot halted so suddenly that Negro settled 
on his haunches. At the same instant he caught 
Blanco’s rein, and, drawing so close to his daughter’s 
side that he could see her face distinctly, despite 
the dimness of the night, he scrutinized it ear- 
nestly. 

Patience, what makes you ask that question ? 
Has any one been talking to you of these things ? ” 
Why, dad, no ; certainly not. Only you. Other 
people don’t seem to care how much they hurt 
their neighbors by idle gossip. But you are always 
so thoughtful; and to-night, even about an Indian 
girl whom you don’t think is more than ordinary, 
you seem more earnest than ever. That made me 
wonder; but I shall remember, don’t you fear! I 
think I would die if anybody accused me of 
theft.” 

^^No; you would live and prove them wrong.” 

^^So shall my Tulita do.” 

hope so, but don’t set your heart upon this 
new protegee. You have enough without her al- 
ready. Besides, in the natural course of things. 


52 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

you may never see her again. Guilty or not 
guilty, the streets of Los Angeles will not be 
tempting show-ground for her and her uncle again 
very soon.” 

^^But you said I could give her a present.” 

I was thinking more of diverting your mind 
than of really doing that. I hated to see you 
troubled about her.” 

I have a notion that a present would seem an 
insult to her — after all this.” 

And I have a notion that we are ^ making a 
mountain out of a mole-hill.’ The incident was 
a trivial one. We have let it take altogether too 
strong a hold upon our minds. Train yourself to 
keep the just proportion of things, my little girl. 
Thus you will save yourself a deal of needless 
worry.” 

^^I’ll try. Only this isn’t going to be as trivial 
as you think — seems to me. I know I shall see 
Tulita again, though I don’t know when or where. 
I have faith in her. I believe she is noble as she 
is certainly beautiful, even though she is but an 
^ Injun.’ But what shall you do about the diamond, 
dad, dear ?” 


ON THE HOME ROAD, 53 

After a reasonable time, if it is not found, I 
will make good the loss.” 

Is it worth a great deal?” 

Yes.” 

Then you must please consider it my Christ- 
mas present, and not give me any other. Indeed, 
I’d rather have that — I mean I’d rather know 
that Tulita was free to-morrow than have any- 
thing else you could give me. Wasn’t it too bad 
her arm was broken ? ” 

Yes, certainly ; but. Patience, do you know that 
you’re a regular ^ Yankee ’ for asking questions ? 
Now, for a change, I’ll ask one myself. Can you 
beat me to the Fairy Spring?” 

If Blanco’s himself, yes. In any case I’ll try. 
Give the word, please.” 

Is your saddle tight ? ” 

^^As a drum,” Patience answered. 

Get into line, then. Hi, there, Negro ! No 
fantastics, if you please.” 

For appearing to scent some sport ahead, and 
tired of the slow pace they had been travelling, 
— or that seemed slow to this spirited creature — 
Mr. Eliot’s black mount Avas giving his rider con- 


54 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

siderable trouble to get him down to a smooth 
trot. 

Presently, however, after a little of the over- 
flowing life had been worked out of the thorough- 
bred’s shapely legs, he fell into the graceful 
measured motion to which he had been trained, 
and which had already been adopted by his milk- 
white mate. Then the ranchman’s voice rang out 
clearly : — 

In line now ! One — two — ofl ! ” 

Racing in such dimness of light, over such a 
soft and sometimes treacherous road, would seem 
perilous to many good riders ; but to these two, 
whose lives were half passed in the saddle, the 
danger was just sufficiently present to give zest 
to the contest. 

Off ! you splendid Blanco ! And not even my 
beloved dad shall drink first at the Fairy Spring!” 

Neck and neck they shot out into the night. 
They were sure of themselves, sure of their steeds, 
sure of the road home ; but they knew nothing 
at all of the danger which awaited them at that 
lovely spot on the foothill trail which bore so ro- 
mantic a name. 


ON THE HOME ROAD. 


55 


For the Fairy Spring was known through all 
that great countryside. Many the man and 
beast whose thirst had been slaked by its icy, 
exhilarating waters ; but woe to those who should 
ride and drink that night ! 


CHAPTER V. 


A CURBSTONE MERCHANT. 

A MONO the motley crowd of foreigners and na- 
tives which thronged Los Angeles streets on 
that Christmas Eve, at the time of the accident to 
the Princess Tulita before the jeweller’s store, none 
attracted more attention than a solitary figure, 
which kept to the curbstone and towered head and 
shoulders above all others. 

This was an Indian, who, disdaining any of 
the modern ‘^improvements” in the manner of 
clothing, such as his race are fond of adopting, 
stood distinguished by the barbaric simplicity 
of his attire. His buckskin shirt and leggings 
displayed his symmetry of body, but were un- 
adorned by any fantastic fringes or embroideries. 
His feet were shod in serviceable moccasins, which 
yet rendered his tread noiseless. He carried a blan- 
ket over one shoulder and upon the other a lot 


56 


A CURBSTONE MERCHANT. 


57 

of bows and arrows. His head was uncovered, 
and his dark, slightly waving hair fell to his 
shoulders, save that the scalp-lock had been twisted 
into a coil, through which a single broken arrow 
had been lightly thrust. 

Yet proud and noble as was his aspect, he bore 
a nickname that suggested a character quite the 
reverse, and he had been for some time under the 
surveillance of the police, though perhaps unjustly 
so. Traces of his presence had been found many 
times in street brawls and lawless escapades, but 
he eluded actual connection with all. It was as 
if he contented himself with inspiring others to 
lawlessness ; and the worst that could be proved 
against him was that he was too fond of ^^fire 
water,’' and had sometimes to be lodged in the 
lockup over night. 

On the other hand, he was useful in several 
ways. No person in the region had ever earned 
so much of the public money in slaughtering 
coyotes and gophers as he, and from this came 
the name by which he was familiarly known — 
Coyote Jack.” He rode a sturdy broncho in 
and out of the city, and nobody knew just 


58 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

where his home was. Like Tulita, he was just 
one of those Indians/’ and few gave him further 
thought. 

Yet in his breast were all the human passions 
that moved his white-skinned neighbors, and his 
feelings were just then profoundly stirred by the 
misfortunes of ^^the princess.” He did not heed 
the salutations of his usual customers — the street 
gamins — and not till a party of tourists had ac- 
costed him for the third time did he rouse himself 
from the revery into which he had fallen. 

Then he heard a lady’s voice saying: — 

Speak to him again, Clotilde. I must have 
one of those bows, if they are for sale. Touch 
his arm — that will make him attend to you. 
That is, if he is really alive and not just a 
wooden image like a tobacconist’s sign.” 

At that the wooden image ” became so sud- 
denly and so completely alive that Mrs. Hutger 
drew back in her carriage — frightened. She for- 
got that she was in the midst of a civilized popu- 
lace, and for a moment only remembered all the 
tales of Wild Western-ness that she had ever 
heard. She looked askance at the ar,row thrust 


A CURBSTONE MERCHANT. 


59 


in the Indian’s scalp-lock, and furtively felt of 
her own. Then she and he came to their senses 
at the same instant : and if he did not echo her 
amused laugh, he at least smiled gravely in re- 
sponse, and made a respectful salutation. 

Will the lady care to examine my wares ? ” 

Mrs. Rutger started again. This time in sur- 
prise at the excellent English with which this 
red man favored her. But she recovered, think- 
ing that of all the lands of surprises California 
led the world. 

Yes ; that is if they are genuine Indian 
weapons.” 

They are genuine, madam.” 

But of the sort you — your people, I mean — 
use in hunting?” 

^^Each hunter has his own weapons — his own 
methods.” 

But you ? Do you hunt ? Are you — beg 
pardon — are you a real Indian?” 

He smiled again — ironically, the lady thought, 
do hunt occasionally. I am a genuine Ind- 
ian. I am of royal blood.” 

He looked it as he said it, and his questioner 


6o 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


believed him. As for Clotilde, the lady’s maid, 
that forlornly homesick creature was shivering in 
her shoes and longing to be bidden back into the 
safety of the carriage by her mistress’s side. 

Then I shall be delighted to buy. Please show 
them to me and explain all about them. I used 
to know a bit about archery — fashionable archery, 
that is — and I thought our bows were something 
tremendous. These, though — please lift one and 
show me how to hold it.” 

The Indian complied, turning slightly about on 
the curbstone and holding the arrow to a level 
with his eye as if poised for flight. 

Oh, how I wish I could see you shoot at some- 
thing ! But, of course, that couldn’t be here. 
Well, never mind. I’m glad to have met you. 
I’ll take that one — the handsomest — and these 
others, for myself. You hold them, Clotilde, while 
I get out the money.” 

Coyote Jack was cunning. He looked upon the 
white man’s cash as his own legitimate spoil, and 
he promptly trebled the price of the bow, as any 
of the gamins could have told her, but Mrs. Rutger 
did not mind. She was enjoying her first trans- 


A CURBSTONE MERCHANT. 6 1 

continental trip, and she found everything wonder- 
ful and unique ” and had already made purchases 
of enough souvenirs to stock half a car, — or so 
Clotilde thought. 

Sure, ma’am, an they’re very purty, ma’am, 
but whatever will yez be doin’ wid ’em ? Sure 
we did be havin’ all the budgets an’ parcils we 
needed a-comin’ out to Calif orny, but them 
same’s not to be named in the lot we’ll be 
afther takin’ back.” 

Oh, I’ll express them, of course. And now, 
though I could stay and enjoy this scene for hours 
longer, I must remember that we have not yet 

dined. So, driver, back to the Hotel. Get 

in, Clotilde. Good night, Mr. Indian. I may meet 
you again.” 

Coyote Jack made a profound salutation as the 
carriage moved away, and again Mrs. Rutger was 
surprised. 

^^I didn’t know that an Indian had any polite- 
ness whatever, did you, Clotilde ? There’s nothing 
aboriginal about that scion of a ^ royal ’ race, as 
he claims, except his color. But he interests me 
— greatly.” 


62 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Clotilde responded something as in duty bound, 
but she was herself more interested in keeping 
the ungainly bows her mistress had purchased 
from contact with the carriage wheels. There was 
not room enough for them to be carried upright 
inside the vehicle. They were so long they must 
needs be thrust through the opposite windows, and 
balanced as best they might be, but she smiled 
grimly when, on alighting at their hotel door, she 
heard a lounger on the curbstone remark : — 

Everybody’d know they were ^tourists,’ for 
they buy everything in sight.’' 

Meanwhile, the seller of bows and arrows had 
left his curbstone and passed rapidly down the 
street to a drug store he frequented, and where, 
from his well-known trade, he was able to procure 
a quantity of swiftly acting poison. This would 
not have been sold to him elsewhere; nor even 
here in such an amount as he now procured, but 
that the clerks were all extra busy with their holi- 
day trade, and not inclined to stop and question. 

As it was, he was supplied with the stuff he 
desired, and no other question asked or advice 
given than: — 


A CURBSTONE MERCHANT. 63 

Trade good yet, Jack? You’ll be a rich man 
if you keep on. But take care of that powder — 
it’ll kill human beings, as well as coyotes. A 
merry Christmas to you! Good night.” 

The Indian grunted a guttural response — the 
first indication there had been in his speech of his 
savage descent ; and had anybody observed him as 
he safely bestowed the precious powder he had 
purchased in the breast of his buckskin garment 
and left the store, they would have seen an ugly 
look in his eye. At the next corner he left the 
main street also, and made his way toward a 
lower part of the city, where lived the Indians 
who did not claim royalty,” mestizos,” and other 
reminders of departed glory and power. 

Here he entered one of the squalid houses and was 
greeted by, Halloo, Jack ! What luck this night?” 

To this friendly inquiry he replied with a sullen 
grunt of anger without deigning to notice his com- 
panions further. 

Ouleon, the brave, is on the warpath. He’s 
got a job on hand that’s desperate. ’Tain’t no 
coyote-kill this time, neither. He’s ugly. Best not 
to stir him up to-night.” 


64 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

The advice so strongly recommended itself, the 
sullen glow in the Indian’s eye was so threaten- 
ing, that an unusual silence prevailed; even those 
reckless spirits who congregated there having 
learned, long before, that there were times when 
Coyote Jack was a dangerous man. 

Having finished his preparations, he went out, 
walking with a noiseless step. They watched him 
bring out his own broncho from the near-by stable 
where it had been stalled, and ride rapidly away, 
leaving an unpleasant impression behind him. 


CHAPTER YI. 


AT THE FAIRY SPRING. 

/^ULEON’S broncho, the West Wind, travelled 
well. Within five minutes after leaving the 
stable he had borne his master well out of the 
gayly illuminated city into the quiet of the night, 
and the rider looked up to calculate the hour by 
the stars overhead. 

There will be time, ample time,’^ he thought, 
yet urged his steed ahead as if his errand were a 
desperate one. Then he leaned forward and whis- 
pered in the West Wind’s ear, whereat it seemed 
as if the creature had become endowed with hu- 
man understanding, for he increased his pace al- 
most to flight, yet managed to step so lightly 
upon the dirt road that his hoof-beats were scarcely 
audible. 

Yet, light as these were, there was somebody to 
listen to and be guided by them. This was Long 


65 


66 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Mark — Mark Corlear, by rights — a man who had 
heard his full name so seldom that he had almost 
forgotten it ; a man who had travelled all over the 
globe^ and found himself at home in every corner 
of it, but who was rather more at home, he was 
wont to admit, among the wide stretches of the 
Pacific coast than anywhere else in the world. 

For purposes of his own he, too, was riding, on 
that evening, over the short-cut trail to Santa Paula 
ranch; and, being the most sociable fellow in the 
world, he heard and welcomed the faint sounds 
that told him he was to have company on the 
road. So it happened that, when riding at fiercest 
speed, with head bent forward and eyes half shut 
in a wicked glee. Coyote Jack heard himself sud- 
denly accosted and the rhythm of another animal’s 
footfalls keeping time to the West Wind’s. 

Halloo, friend! Whither so fast?” 

Ouleon recognized the voice. He and its owner 
had met before, and there was no love lost between 
them. He made no response, and dug his heels 
into the broncho’s sides. 

Long Mark caught his breath. 

He doesn’t appear to hanker for company. 


AT THE FAIRY SPRING. 


67 


H’m ! I won’t bother him, but I’ll just ride after 
an’ see who ’tis that’s so glum on a night when 
the milk of human kindness, et cetera^ ought to be 
a-flowing, if ever. Catch ’em, Ichabod ! Fetch ’em 
out ! ” 

The gaunt, swift-limbed beast named Ichabod 
responded royally. He had been longing to stretch 
his legs at a different speed, and had already 
resented his master’s mooning along over a road 
that offered a fine chance of exercise to the old 
racer. With a little toss of his ungainly head he 
sprang forward. 

Go it, my son ! You’re about as graceful as 
that traditional bull in the china shop, but you 
get there ! Fetch ’em out ! ” 

Ouleon set his teeth and flew forward. His 
quick ear had caught the sounds of the follower, 
and he had chosen solitude. 

Ps-t-t-oop ! ” he whispered or whistled, and the 
broncho did his best. 

Long Mark’s blood rose in his veins. Though 
the distance was considerable between them and 
the night only a starlit one, the air was so clear 
and the stars shone with such brilliancy that he 


68 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


could distinguish the dim outline of the fleeing 
horseman, and perceived that he was certainly run- 
ning away. 

H’m ! that looks bad. What’s he been doing 
that he doesn’t want to see Long Mark? Ichy, my 
son, it’s nothing very high-toned. He’s an Injun. 
If he’d been a white man, I’d have taken the hint 
and concluded he knew his own business same’s I 
know mine. But those snakes ! I just guess I’ll 
keep up the chase. That beast yonder’s a bronc’, 
Ichy — good, good as they make ’em; but you, 
my son — what do you say to remembering Araby 
— eh ? Go it — go ! ” 

And Ichabod ^^went” such a pace that the 
broncho was overtaken with an ease that made 
Ouleon ready to kill this tormenting intruder, 
who whistled and sang as he came alongside, and 
nonchalantly affected to think the whole affair a 
Noche Buena joke. 

H’m ! well, I allow you clipped it right well ; 
but, you see, you aren’t in it! This horse of 
mine, he’s a globe-trotter. He’s tried hoofing it 
over every kind of soil old mother earth has spread 
around, and he’s learned the trick of each. Nice 


AT THE FAIRY SPRING. 69 

night, isn’t it ? My ! how the stars shine ! Going 
far — hey ? ” 

No.” 

Don’t know as I am, either. Did think some 
of clicking it over to San’ Panly. Eliot is an 
old friend o’ mine, but — friends! My gracious! 
they’re thicker’n blueberries. Got another living 
on a ranch — raisins, olives, and walnuts — right 
over yonder, about ten mile. Hires it off Eliot, of 
course. May change my mind an’ go there first. 
Only did think I’d like a drink out of Fairy 
Spring. Know that place ? Course you do. 
Everybody in these parts does. H’m that reminds 
me. Haven’t remembered to introduce myself. 
Never too late to mend. I’m Long Mark; who’re 
you?” 

The Indian pretended not to hear. He rode 
forward at the same reckless pace, with down- 
bent head and eyes scanning the ground as if 
searching for traces of something. This angered 
Mark Corlear. He had already recognized the 
other, even as he had been recognized, but he did 
not suggest this till he had stooped and glanced 
into the averted face of his companion. 


70 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


ex-actly, Coyote Jack. I thought so. 
He’s too tall a fellow to hide his light under a 
bushel. Wellj Coyote, you don’t look pleased. 
You look — well, to put it plain — ugly. I allow 
most of us do when we’re riled. And it would 
rile me to be chased if I didn’t want to be. How- 
somever, no harm’s done. I’ll just ride on to 
the spring, and then we’ll part company. How’s 
everything down your way?” 

Ouleon straightened himself in his saddle, and 
let the West Wind walk. So did Long Mark with 
Ichabod. The Indian watched his chance and 
loped forward again. Mark was with him neck 
and neck. Then Ouleon resigned himself to the 
inevitable with stolid indifference. 

^^I said how’s everything? — meaning business. 
Hear you’re making money out of government ; 
clearing off vermin. Well, that’s good. Hope the 
government’ll keep at it till it ’radicates vermin 
of all kinds — two-legged and otherwise. Say, this 
road’s been improved since I was here last. Travel 
it often?” 

^^No.” 

Their horses, themselves well knowing the trail 


AT THE FAIRY SPRING. 


71 


and the delicious draught that marked its half 
length, fell into a gentle trot and proceeded ami- 
cably side by side, even if their riders were hostile, 
till this trail grew so narrow and so steadily up- 
ward that only one could pass over it at a time. 
Long Mark took the lead. He was perfectly 
aware that in so doing he exposed himself to the 
treachery of the Indian behind him, hut his pur- 
pose was to disarm suspicion and learn by strategy 
the other’s errand. 

‘^Strange to me that I seem to know he’s bent 
on some mischief,” he reflected. Yet not so 
strange, either. There may be good Injuns, but 
I’ve never met one — not yet, an’ I’ve travelled 
quite a jog, too.” 

In a few moments they were at the spring. A 
lovely spot where the trees grew thick and luxurious 
and the ferns were knee-deep. Long Mark threw 
himself from his saddle with a sigh of delight and 
face downward amid the bracken, reaching over the 
rocky edge of its natural basin to drink of the icy 
water. Then he let Ichabod drink, and afterward 
made room for the others, seating himself on a 
fallen eucalyptus to enjoy the beautiful scene. 


72 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


“ Queer, isn’t it, Coyote ? I can never seem to 
get tired of Nature. Prettiest thing in the uni- 
verse, she is. Prettier even than that Tulity of 
your folks that you call Hhe princess.’ By the 
way, how is she?” 

Ouleon scowled and lifted his dark face from 
the spring where he had been drinking. 

^^As my race always is! Sufering at the hands 
of yours.” 

H’m 1 that depends upon the point of view, 
ioesn’t it? I’ve seen a considerable of suffering 
amongst our sort when some of you redskins got 
your dander and your underhandedness up, but — 
no matter. Seem to keep your language good as 
ever. Still hope to be a ^big Injun’ some day 
and take a show in the general fights down at 
Washington. That’s what I heard about you 
before I went to Asia last time.” 

What Ouleon, son of the king, hopes or fears is 
nothing to you 1 One thing only do my people owe 
to yours, that you, or your forefathers, sent your 
priests among us and taught us the speech that 
means — ^feelings,’ in your ears. We are quick to 
learn. Long Mark, and we remember what we learn.” 


AT THE FAIRY SPRING. 


72 > 


Good enough ! W ell, I’ll not bother you 
longer. Nowadays, I don’t talk such good book 
language as you and your Tulity do; but I under- 
stand ^feelings’ all the same, and you remember 
that, too. So Ichy an’ I’ll jog down hill again. 
I’ll travel to San’ Pauly sometime else, but Gf you 
get there before I do just tell ’em I’m a-comin’, 
too.’ Good night. Good luck.” 

Ouleon heaved a sigh of relief — heaved it a 
trifle too soon, for Mark’s ears were keen and he 
heard it. He had not, indeed, intended to retreat 
very far, but to wait and watch for Ouleon’s next 
movement. That sigh convinced him, in some in- 
explicable manner, that he had best remain as 
closely as possible to the spot, and yet unseen. 
How to do this ? He knew a way. 

A few rods farther down the scrub-oaks and 
manzanitas gave him friendly shelter, and into the 
thick of these he forced the obedient Ichabod. 
Then he, too, stooped and whispered in the ani- 
mal’s ear, in the fashion that Ouleon had set some 
time before; when, immediately, a curious thing 
occurred. Ichabod kept on stepping, stepping up 
and down, lightly and more lightly, till the sound of 


74 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


his hoof-beats was as of a horse retreating farther 
and farther away. Yet he did not advance a pace. 

Good boy, Ichy ! Smart boy. Arab trick’s 
good as an Injun’s. Little better, too, sir. Guess 
we’ve about out-Injuned the Injun. Now for the 
next move. I’d feel meaner’n a coyote myself 
doing this if he were anything but a redskin. 
But nothing’s too mean that helps a white man 
understand them! So long.” 

He drew a glass from his pocket and fitted it 
to his eye, focussing it through the branches upon 
the Indian, who stood upright in the clear space 
about the spring. Even in that light the glass 
rendered objects at a distance visible. 

The action was none too soon. At that instant 
the unsuspecting Ouleon took a paper parcel from 
the breast of his buckskin garment, and, having 
plugged both outlet and inlet, emptied the con- 
tents of the parcel into the pool of water thus 
formed in the spring basin. Then he stirred this 
with a stick and, softly retreating, led his broncho 
back behind the eucalyptus trunks. 

‘‘ The rattlesnake 1 He’s — poisoned — the — 
spring 1 ” 


CHAPTER VII. 


A FRUSTRATED CRIME. 


HAT horrified cry rang clearly out and arrested 



the outstretched hand of the girl, as she 
already knelt beside the pool, sending her startled 
to her feet. It reached David Eliot ascending the 
slope at his leisure. 

But it reached, also, the keen-eared, suspicious 
Indian, and, as Long Mark bounded from his 
hiding-place, crying loudly : Don’t drink ! don’t 
touch that water!” a bullet sped on its unerring 
way and the warning ceased with a gasp. 

But it had done its work. David was at his 
daughter’s side before the echo of that shot had 
died away. 

Patience, my darling! are you — ” 

Not I, dad ! Somebody over there in the 
brush.” 

They rushed toward the spot with a mutual 


76 


76 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


impulse of aid, and a second shot whizzed by 
them. At that they paused, fearing either to 
advance or retreat, listening intently. Then they 
heard the crashing of a horse’s feet in the under- 
growth beyond, the sound growing fainter with 
each echo. 

Whoever it is, he is running away ! ” 

The girl’s inference was correct. Ouleon felt 
that he might safely leave his dastardly work to 
its own completion. He had been surprised by 
the nearness to him of Colear, but he had acted 
promptly. He now rapidly calculated that these 
two against whom he had originally plotted would 
bear the body of the wounded man to the spring, 
to revive him by its waters. He did not believe 
that they could have comprehended fully the 
warning Mark had given — a white man was 
always slower of wit than his red brother ! — and 
he would be rid of three at once. When all was 
still he would come back out of hiding, and 
plunder the bodies. He would not have far to 
track them. The poison was subtle. Where they 
drank they would fall, and where they fell they 
would die. 


A FRUSTRATED CRIME. 77 

Ugh ! It is well 1 So perish all our ene- 
mies ! ” muttered Coyote Jack, as he retreated. 

But this programme, that would have been so 
satisfactory to him, was not destined of fulfil- 
ment. 

The assailant may be running away, but a 
man fell at that first shot ! ” cried Mr. Eliot, hur- 
rying forward. 

In a moment he had reached the faithful Icha- 
bod, who had remained stock-still during the whole 
adventure. 

Why, Ichy boy ! You here ? For you are 
Ichy, surely ! Though I didn’t know you were 
this side the world ! ” 

Ichabod, dad ? Then dear old Mark is near. 
Can it be he who was wounded?” 

It must be, since he was never the man to run. 
I’ll look this way, you that. Ichy, where is your 
master ? ” 

Patience found him presently, nearly stumbling 
upon him in her haste. 

Here, dad ! Hola ! 0 hola ! ” 

David reached her instantly, and bent above the 
prostrate figure lying face down upon the ferns. 


78 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


He gently turned the body over and scanned the 
rugged features. 

Long Mark, for sure ! To see that royal fellow 
come to this ! ” 

^^But he isn’t dead, is he, dad? One shot 
wouldn’t kill an old frontiersman like Mark ! ” 
There, stand aside. Patience. I’ll carry him out 
into the open — to the spring. I can’t see how he is 
hurt in here, it’s so dark. Fortunately, I have a box 
of tapers in my pocket. Take them and light the 
way.” 

\Yhile Mr. Eliot lifted the tall, inert figure to his 
own strong shoulders. Patience deftly extracted the 
silver box from her father’s pocket, and struck one of 
the matches on her woollen skirt. A tiny flame shot 
up, and she held the bit of wax close to Mark’s face. 

Poor old friend ! But he sha’n’t die, dad ! 
He shall not — like this. Who could have done 
it? I didn’t know he ever had any enemies. He’s 
always so jolly and kind. I wonder where he 
came from and when. He must have been on the 
way to see us, mustn’t he ? ” 

It seems so. But it’s all speculation. Have 
you your little drinking-cup in your bag ? ” 


A FRUSTRATED CRIME. 


79 


Patience pulled round the leathern pouch she 
always slung over her shoulder when setting out 
for a long ride, then remembered that she had 
already taken out the cup, and must have dropped 
it when she was startled by Long Mark’s cry. She 
lighted another taper, and stooped to search for it 
by the spring. 

^^Why, dad, how strange this is! Somebody 
has stopped up the water. It neither flows in 
nor out.” 

^^Did you find the cup?” 

^^Yes — here it is. But — look! See how queer 
the horses act! They are both just sniffing and 
nosing the pool, but neither of them is tasting it. 
Only — what’s the matter with Negro?” 

A love of horseflesh was second in Mr. Eliot’s 
nature only to love of his kind; and though both 
he and Patience had been forgetful of any possible 
danger menacing themselves, he was alert to that 
which threatened his favorite thoroughbred. He 
laid his friend softly down, and went to examine 
both the spring and the horse. The former had 
certainly been tampered with, though its waters 
looked dark and cool in the flash of the taper’s 


8o 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


light But Negro was trembling as with an ague 
fit, and his superb body writhed slightly, as with 
incipient convulsions. 

^^Did he drink?” 

^‘1 don’t know. Yes — it seems to me I did 
hear him while I was running toward Mark, though 
I scarcely remember. But he’s been trained to 
drinking when out on the trail. I never knew it 
to hurt him before.” 

It’s not the drinking — it’s what he’s drank ! 
Did you hear what poor Mark called ? ” 

Yes, distinctly ; though I did not understand 
— should not have thought of obeying it. He 
shouted, ^ Don’t drink!’ but — ” 

^^And probably died with that warning on his 
lips 1 There’s been dark work here. Patience. Lead 
Blanco away from the pool and don’t let Ichabod 
come near. Don’t touch it yourself — for any 
purpose.” 

But — dad 1 How then can we help Mark ? For 
we can’t let him die. Dear, happy, good old Mark!” 

Mr. Eliot did not answer. He bent down to the 
spring and thrusting his hand into it, raised some 
of the fluid on his fingers and smelled of it. It 


A FRUSTRATED CRIME. 


8l 


was odorless. But he swiftly pulled the plugs away 
from the apertures where they had been stuffed and 
instantly the water burst out with a tinkling gurgle, 
glad to be relieved of its imprisonment. 

^^What do you think it means, dad, dear?’' 
think the water had been stopped and poi- 
soned. Wliy, it passes my imagination to conceive. 
However, poor Negro ! ” 

The horse had plunged into the thicket and they 
could hear him where he lay, threshing his shapely 
limbs about in the agony of dissolution. So swift 
had been the action of that simple powder which 
Ouleon had scattered. 

They clasped hands and listened to him, reluc- 
tant yet fascinated, and expecting they scarcely 
knew what. But it was all over speedily. The 
plungings grew feebler and feebler, till with a cry 
of almost human . anguish, the noble thoroughbred 
lay still. The silence reminded them of another’s 
need, and with a sigh from Mr. Eliot, a blinding 
flood of tears from Patience, they turned again to 
the wounded man. 

^^What shall we do, dad? Will the spring clear 
itself so that we can use the water?” 


82 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


It will clear itself in time, of course, but not 
soon enough for our need. No ! We must get 
him up the slope as quickly as possible. It is not 
far to the next spring — should that not be dry. 
If it is, push on for home as rapidly as possible.'’ 

Dad, tell me just one word ! Is he dead ? " 

‘‘1 cannot tell. The wound is in a dangerous 
spot, but his muscles have not the feel of a dead 
man's. Certainly, it would be out of all justice, 
it seems to me, that one so big-hearted and honest 
as Mark Corlear should die a dog's death on a 
lonely mountain side." 

^^Dad, do you suppose that the poisoned water 
was meant — " 

She hesitated to finish the question, the sugges- 
tion that had come to her mind appearing too 
terrible to contemplate. 

I know what you would say. ^ For us ? ' If 
so, this fiendish work has been done by somebody 
who knew that we would ride this way alone, as we 
did. There has been a desperate lot of thieving 
and lawlessness all over this portion of the state 
of late. Stand still, Ichabod, poor fellow ! It's a 
sorry load you must bear away to-night." 


A FRUSTRATED CRIME, 83 

For Mr. Eliot was busying himself as he talked, 
examining and tightening the saddle fastenings of 
Corlear’s horse. 

Shall I go to his head, dad ? ” 

^‘Yes, carita. Though it is scarcely necessary. 
Even in this dimness Ichy boy understands what is 
required of him, and seems to ask what is amiss with 
his comrade. They were fast friends, man and beast, 
and have travelled the wide world over together. 
It will break the Arabian’s heart if Long Mark dies.” 

Then you don’t think he is dead, do you ? 
Oh, I’m so glad! Can’t I help lift him?” 

You can support him — so — while I mount 
behind him. There! — that’s all right! He will 
ride as comfortably this way as on a stretcher. 
More, maybe, for a saddle was his natural resting- 
place, always. Go gently, Ichy boy ! But there’s 
no need to tell you that. It’s not often in your 
life you’ve had to carry double like this.” 

Nor ever two such big men, dad ! I remember 
that you measured sizes the very last time Long 
Mark was at Santa Paula, and the little difference 
there was was in your favor. Slow, Blanco ! 
Guay ! have a care ! ” ' 


84 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Patience sprang to her own saddle^ first making 
the white thoroughbred kneel down for her con- 
venience, as he had been trained, then carefully 
led the way out of the bush upward over the 
height. But she had gone only a few rods before 
she halted. 

^^Caramba! I’ve just thought of something! If 
anybody did poison that spring out of malice to us, 
knowing we’d take this road home, he — or — they 
— would be apt to watch all along the trail, 
wouldn’t they?” 

Possibly! Well?” 

For, from the tone of her voice and his knowl- 
edge of her character, Mr. Eliot perceived that 
Patience had something better to propose. 

^^Well, I know a shorter trail. Gaspar and I 
discovered it the last time we were out hunting. 
I don’t believe anybody ever crossed it before or 
since.” 

Are you sure of it ? — to recall it ? It wouldn’t 
do to run any risk of getting confused and wast- 
ing time.” 

I never forgot a trail yet. And we made guide- 
marks on the rocks. It’s rough — that’s all!” 


A FRUSTRATED CRIME. 


85 


^‘Keep the tapers in your hand. When you are 
coming to a bad spot light one, so I can see, to 
avoid jarring Mark.” 

Yes, and it leads by a shepherd’s cabin. There 
we can find something to help him, quiera Dios ! ” 
(please God). 

An Eastern horseman would have considered the 
original trail a rough and hazardous road, hut he 
would have paused in dismay before that into 
which Patience Eliot now led the way. It ap- 
peared to be scarce wide enough for a rabbit’s 
passage, and it wound in and out among project- 
ing rocks and cacti, scratching the horses’ sides 
and threatening to unseat their riders. Even Mr. 
Eliot, accustomed as he was to similar experiences, 
felt that he had never before tried a path so 
difficult. 

Yet the only comment he volunteered was a 
cheerful one : — 

^^You needn’t mind lighting those tapers over 
the rough places, niha!” (my little one). You’d 
be doing nothing else. Only — toss me the end 
of that lariat on your saddle-bow. I’ll fasten it 
to mine, and if at any time it pulls extra hard 


86 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


— well, just stop and inspect things. Ichabod 
will have to move slowly. He carries a fearful 
load.” 

En verdad ! (in truth). But trust your Pa- 
tience, mi padre (my father). She’s never failed 
you yet. And she’ll get you out of this a deal 
quicker than you could get yourself out. But, 
oh, what a Christmas Eve ! ” 

Indeed, yes ; yet. Patience, how fortunate that 
it was you and I, not Gaspar and old Tomas, who 
rode the horses home to-night ! Else — but I’ll not 
think of what is not. Forward, a bit faster here. 
It’s not quite so difficult.” 

It seemed as if the stars agreed to put their 
rays together to light their narrow w^ay ; for again 
and again they were guided past some deep canon 
where another step would have sent Blanco’s feet 
over the precipice, down the slope that was steeper 
than a house-roof. For the clear radiance never 
failed, and the air appeared to grow more trans- 
parent as they ascended. 

It was a ride Patience never forgot. She sat 
erect in her saddle, peering anxiously ahead, and 
speaking only an occasional word of warning : To 


A FRUSTRATED CRIME. 


87 


the right ! ” or Stoop now, dad. Go slowly ! or 
the like. But in her heart was all the time an 
upward aspiration for speedy deliverance. 

Nor was her wordless prayer balked of its ful- 
filment. Within a half-hour they emerged upon 
a bit of table-land, where stood the shepherd's hut 
and the surrounding corrals of which she had 
spoken. Then her voice took another, joyfuller 
tone. 

Here we are, dad, dear ! Joaquin hasn’t 
brought his sheep up yet, but everything is in 
readiness for him, and I know where the key to 
the locker should be. We’ll have dear Mark made 
comfortable instantly ! ” 

And none too soon. Though I’m almost sure 
I’ve felt him stirring once or twice ; if so, one 
trouble is over.” 

Oh, dad! And didn’t tell me!” 

It may have been the jolting of the rocks.” 
Yet when Mr. Eliot unclasped his arm, rigid from 
the supporting of the wounded man before him, 
Corlear did make a visible effort to help himself, 
and this certainty that he was still alive gave fresh 
impetus to their efforts. 


88 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Patience slipped the bolt of the cabin door^ went 
directly to a certain corner of the room, and found, 
as she had hoped, the key to the supply closet. 
There was abundance of food in tins, and a case 
of simple medicines and cordials. There were, also, 
candles and matches, and the light quickly pro- 
duced showed them the welcome sight of Long 
Mark’s wondering eyes fixed upon Patience, and 
seeming to gather intelligence and strength in 
their kindly depths the longer he watched. 

Oh, you blessed old fellow ! Do you know 
me ? ” cried the delighted girl, running to the 
narrow bed where he had been laid. 

^^You — you’re Patty Eliot. Hail from Santy 
Pauly! But — what in all creation are you and 
me doing here ? ” 

Never you mind that. Here we are, and here’s 
dad.” 

^^Well, Mark!” said Mr. Eliot, holding out his 
hand in greeting. ^^Well, what’s the good word? 
Where from — last?” 

^^Oh^ just over in Cathay. But what you been 
doing to me, Dave ? ” 

^^What I’m going to do is to make you drink 









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A FRUSTRATED CRIME. 


this. Instante ! as Patty says. Then we’ll all 
jog along to the ranch to keep a thankful Christ- 
mas together.” 

You talk. Christmas is Christmas — any- 
where. But the way you fix it to Santy Pauly — 
suits me.” 


CHAPTER VIII. 


SANTA PAULA. 

“ DRIDGET, Clotilde, I mean, I'm tired of this 
^ city. So you’d better pack the trunks and 
we’ll go somewhere else. The holidays have been 
delightful here, but I think I’ll go up the coast a 
way, and see how I like that.” 

^Yery well, ma’am.” 

Yet the maid heaved a sigh. She had done 
nothing but pack and unpack those trunks ever 
since her mistress had left the Atlantic coast for 
this restless pleasure trip of hers. 

Yes, I’ve been in almost all the Californian 
cities, and now I’m going to settle down in some 
coast village for the rest of the season.” 

Very well, ma’am,” said Clotilde again. 
Where might you be goin’ now, ma’am ? ” 

To a place called Eliotville.” 


90 


SANTA PAULA. 9 1 

What’s it like, please ? Is it one of them 
pnrty ones where’s the fruit an’ all a-gtowin’?” 

I don’t know ; I suppose so. I know noth- 
ing about it except the name, and that it is a 
sort of community under one man’s jurisdiction. 
A man named Eliot. 

This was not wholly satisfactory to Bridge t- 
Clotilde ; but it was not her function to inquire 
why a man named Eliot should be of more inter- 
est to her employer than one named anything 
else. She merely opened the closet door and 
looked ruefully at a group of red clay jars and 
idols, all of Indian manufacture and each one 
uglier than the other. 

Whatever is to be done with all these, 
ma’am ? Sure the trunks do be overflowin’ full 
the day already.” 

Mrs. Rutger held up her hands in horror. 

Do you suppose I’d risk those precious souvenirs 
in a trunk — with a lot of other things, gowns, 
and so on? No, indeed. You just put up the 
clothing and I’ll get an expert to box and ship 
these curios. That doll, for instance. Why, Clo- 
tilde, that doll was made and dressed by a woman 


g2 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

SO poor and uncivilized that she had absolutely noth- 
ing to work with. It’s a great treasure to me.” 

Bridget-Clotilde took the earthen toy gingerly 
between her fingers. Sure it hasn’t any clothes 
at all on, to speak of. No more’n her you bought 
it of ; and they do say in the servants’ dining 
room that towerists frequent gets small-pox and 
such from buying stuff off them heathens.” 

That will do, Bridget. I’ve no wish to hear 
the servants’ gossip ; and those things you men- 
tion are — well, not likely. The railway authori- 
ties wouldn’t — But why argue ? I’m interested 
in ‘ the Indian question.’ Greatly interested. I 
value all these things highly.” 

However, the shrewdly observant maid noticed, 
with a quiet smile, that her mistress thereafter 
let her souvenirs” most particularly alone, and 
merely indicated to the expert packer which he 
was to handle with greatest care, but did not 
offer to touch them. 

So they went to Eliotville ; and they had not 
been there twenty-four hours before another 
change was made. Still, this time an explana- 
tion was vouchsafed. 


SANTA PAULA. 


93 


I will tell you, Clotilde, that during my 
travels I am also trying to come upon the where- 
abouts of a — a relative whom I have not seen 
for many years. And now I am going to take a 
little drive — that’s what they call it here — a 
^ little drive ’ of fifty or sixty miles and make 
a call. So, just please pack a big satchel with 
things we’ll need for a day or two and we’ll start 
in the morning.” 

^^What might his name be, ma’am?” 

Eliot, Bridget-Clotilde. Eliot — with one 1.” 

So Mrs. Kutger’s restlessness was explained. 
In her persistent inquiries everywhere she had 
unearthed Elliots, Elliotts, Ellyetts, Endicotts, 
and similar — galore ; but they had proved not 
of her race. Now she had struck a new trail ” 
which led to one authentic and genuine Eliot, of 
pure and concise orthography, with character to 
match. So rumor said. 

But that proverbial falsifier had ascribed to 
this person powers and properties which should 
not have been his ; for disgrace, he was given 
honor, for poverty, wealth. 

^‘Well, ^silver king,’ ^ sheep king,’ every other 


94 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

sort of magnate which his start in life renders 
improbable, his name is ^ David Eliot/ and I 
should never rest if I went back to New York 
without seeing him/’ was the lady’s decision. 

Yet both mistress and maid stepped with some 
reluctance into the surrey that was brought round 
for their use on the following morning. They 
were directed to go straight into the open coun- 
try, and they had a stranger’s fears for that trip. 
However, a few minutes’ rapid driving completely 
changed all this. , The road, a beaten path upon 
natural soil, ran smooth and faultless over plains 
and mesas, through picturesque villages and past 
well-tilled ranches, with a directness of purpose 
that was encouraging. 

The Mexican driver was respectfully silent 
save when some inquiry evoked his valuable 
response. Bridget-Clotilde slept peacefully, till, 
finally overcome by her example and dazzled by 
the sunshine, Mrs. Eutger leaned her own head 
against the cushions, preparing for a nap, when 
Alonzo — Caballero Alonzo Maria Gonzalez Diego, 
etc., etc. — stopped before a wayside inn. 

^^If the worshipful senora pleases, here we will 


SANTA PAVLA. 95 

dine and change horses — if the dinner commends 
itself to the most charming of patrons/' 

Dinner, already ? ” 

“ En verdad. But it is the midday todavia, and 
only half the journey done." 

The little white hostelry, with its green blinds 
and scarlet-runners, might have been transplanted 
from a New England village. A New England 
hostess, the very soul of tidiness and thrift, pre- 
sided over a dinner of New England cookery, 
and seasoned the dessert of mince pie with the 
information that He's a gentleman, every inch 
of him, ma’am, an’ that’s better than his money, 
of which their ain’t no end. He’s a widower with 
one darter, half-raised, that he thinks is perfect. 
He lets her do everything she’s a mind, from rid- 
ing on a ^ round-up ’ to givin’ away slews of 
things. She’s right peart. Yes, this is his tav- 
ern. Everything’s his’n, purty nigh, this end o’ 
Californy. There! that man 'Lonzo’s et a’ ready; 
but he knows there’s better victuals to Santy Pauly 
'n I can get, do the best I will. Guess he’s plan- 
nin’ to have a good time when he gets to the 
ranch. He won’t be in such a hurry when his 


96 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


team’s headed t’other way. Well, good-by ! 
Hope I’ll have better luck with my pie-crust if 
you stop, coming back. I’m ashamed — ” 

But Mrs. Rutger was already in the surrey; 
and, directly, the relay of horses had whisked it 
out of sight. 

Another hour and the road bent to the coast 
again ; when even the somnolent Bridget-Clotilde 
aroused sufficient enthusiasm to compare the scene 
with that beloved France-Ireland from which had 
been imported her brogue and her gait, her cap 
and high heels. 

“ Compare it to nothing, girl ! It is itself — 
incomparable. Such color, such sunshine, such 
space ! Drive slow, Alonzo. I must prolong this 
pleasure.” 

Alonzo checked his horses so suddenly that they 
fell back upon their haunches, but his face assumed 
a deprecating expression. 

Sta buen’ ! The gracious senora has but to 
command and the beasts will crawl. . Ten thou- 
sand pardons, most generous, but, caramba ! if 
senora will not have enough of the blue sea and 
the yellow sand before she has reached the residencia 


SANTA PAULA. 


97 


of the great Senor Eliot! This beach is but part 
of the Santa Paula hacienda, though there are 
twenty miles of it between us and our supper.” 

Tw^enty — miles — of sea-coast ! On one man’s 
estate ? ” 

In verity, senora.” 

Drive as you like, then,” responded the aston- 
ished Easterner. 

In the early evening Mrs. Rutger alighted at 
her journey’s end, before a wide, low-studded build- 
ing that looked almost as strong as the mountains 
which formed its background. Its adobe walls 
gleamed white in the moonlight, save where they 
were hidden by luxurious vines, and the great 
porticos were illuminated by the light that streamed 
through the many windows, opened to the warmth 
of that southwestern January night. 

The sounds of arrival brought out the house- 
master himself, with an alacrity of welcome which 
augured well for the visitor’s comfort, whether he 
were her Eliot or some other body’s. 

For an instant, while Alonzo performed his pro- 
foundest salutation, the aristocratic woman and the 
broad-shouldered man regarded each other; then. 


98 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

in a tone of regretful conviction^ the lady spoke : 

I beg pardon for this intrusion, but I came here 
on the chance of finding an old friend, A similarity 
in names — ’’ 

Good gracious — Hortense ! I should know 
that voice anywhere! Hortense Eliot, in very 
truth ! How glad I am 1 
Then you are — David ? ” 

‘^Well, I reckon! Who else should I be ? Come 
in, come in ; and — hola ! 0 hola. Patience ! ” 

Grita, dad, dear ! cried Patience, as she ap- 
peared on the scene. 

A. guest, carita. An old, old friend. Dad's 
cousin Hortense." 

^^Ah? Is it so? Bien venido (welcome), senora. 
But, dad, I — " 

^^Yes, yes, girlie. Didn’t know I had a cousin. 
But I have, and proud we are to welcome her to 
Santa Paula this night." 

Then they entered the great sala, and the lights 
showed the reunited Eliots what pranks a quarter 
of a century can play with the human countenance. 
But for the voices, which change -not, they would 
not have recognized each other. Yet Hortense 


SANTA PAULA. 


99 


saw at a glance that her young cousin Patience 
was Eliot clear through, save for the dark eyes 
which should have been blue and the tip-tilted nose 
which should have been Grecian. 

Gently, but eagerly, the girl had the stranger’s 
bonnet off, and was removing the gloves when 
Bridget-Clotilde aroused to the necessities of the 
occasion and took her mistress in charge. At which 
the girl in the white gown ran away to order 
dinner and hearth-fires in the guest-chambers, while 
Mrs. Rutger looked about her in admiration, greater 
even than her surprise. 

‘^Well, David, I’m thankful I persisted.” 

So am I, if persistence brought you here. 
You were always a little stubborn.” . 

^^And do you know that some of my hotel ac- 
quaintances told me it was actually a dangerous 
thing to do — to take that drive. Prophesied way- 
laying Indians, bandits, and other blood-curdling 
possibilities.” 

Mr. Eliot laughed so heartily that the traveller 
joined with him; then he asked,. “But how did 
you find it ? ” 

“ Delightful — glorious 1 But, David, do you 


lOO 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


live here alone — you and that lovely girl ? And 
how could I dream that this ^ Bonanza Eliot ’ 
and — and you — were one and the same? Yet 
I was bound to see, even if I were turned away 
at the door.’' She spoke tentatively, referring 
thus delicately to that unhappy past which she 
was glad to cover with the mantle of her charity. 

Again the host laughed cordially — a laugh that 
had the ring of a clear conscience and complacency 
at his own lot in life. But he ignored the past, 
as was the habit of his cheerful mind. 

^^Yes, we live here — alone, if you call it so, 
with our hundred or more dependents. We are 
not, therefore, lonely ; nor do I think we should 
be were there only our two selves this side the 
Kockies.” His eye, eloquent of afection, turned 
toward his daughter, who reentered at that moment, 
when dinner was announced. 

A repast hastily prepared, yet which was com- 
posed of the choicest delicacies to be found in any 
market, and of some which no public market 
could offer, perfectly served by deft and noiseless 
attendants, and at which Patience presided with a 
graceful ease amazing to the society-trained guest. 


SANTA PAULA. 


lOI 


It all seemed like a fairy tale ; and when the 
meal was over and the young hostess had again 
departed — this time in answer to a summons about 
some accident, in which the words canon,” fell 
a hundred feet,” legs broke all to pieces,” startled 
the visitor’s attention if not the host’s — Mrs. 
Rutger turned her surprised countenance toward 
the ranchman’s chair. 

He was amusedly regarding his old friend and 
foster-sister, and smilingly remarked : ‘^You may as 
well out with it, Hortense. You sit there like a 
living exclamation-point, and you’ll feel better to 
relieve your mind.” 


CHAPTER IX. 


THE YOUNG RANCH MISTRESS. 

AVID, where and how did she learn it all ? 
— three thousand miles from civilization!” 

Is it so far ? I fancied we had brought civ- 
ilization to us.” David Eliot waved his hand 
toward the long suite of rooms, bright with the 
clear radiance of electricity and furnished with 
the most harmonious of modern luxuries. 

Yes, I see. But money doesn’t give breeding,” 
answered Hortense, with some asperity. 

Maybe it is in the blood. Besides her being 
an Eliot with one ‘1,’ Patience’s grandmother was 
a gentlewoman — one of the old Californians who 
claim to be the true Americans.” 

But why mar the whole thing by that name 
Patience ? ” 

Because our great-grandmother Patience was, 
I think, an Eliot worth keeping in green memory. 


102 


THE YOUNG RANCH MISTRESS, 


103 


You remember tbe old story that wben her hus- 
band fell fighting in defence of their home, she 
seized his musket and shot a Britisher or two. I 
always had a predilection for the old lady, and 
so ^Patience’ headed the list; also, with the com- 
mon contradiction of life, she is not patient by 
nature. To please her mother, she was christened 
by a few other titles : Patience Margarita Ines 
Felisa — ” 

David ! ” 

Confident that’s the proper order. Anyway, 
there are several of them, and Maria comes next 
to Eliot. To be positive, I would have to consult 
the record.” 

^^It is recorded, then? I thought Westerners 
were lax about such matters.” 

Many Eastern notions concerning the West 
coasters need correction. Like the ^wildness’ and 
^ woolliness ’ ascribed in cheap literature. Have you 
experienced it?” 

No ! ” positively. 

^^No-o,” reflectively, when some time later Pa- 
tience burst into the room, clad in a loose riding- 
habit, a sombrero on her head, a revolver in her 


104 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


hand, and her dark eyes humid with sorrowful 
excitement. 

It was too bad, dad, but I had to kill him.^’ 

H’m ! Which was it ? ” - 

The thoroughbred, Galano.” 

Yes ; I’m sorry. You were fond of him, too, 
querida (darling).” 

^^En verdad! I loved him. It was awful to 
do it. The poor beast knew me, and when he 
looked up at me my hand trembled.” 

Who went with you ? ” 

Antonio, Larry Doyle, and Jose Martinez.” 

^^Why not have given one of them the task, 
and so have spared yourself ? They are all fair 
marksmen.” 

Dad ! Why, perhaps they might have blun- 
dered ! As it was, Galano knew no hurt, save for 
the fall which made his death necessary.” 

By the way, what was the disturbance in the 
court ? I was going to show Cousin Hortense the 
old palms and olives, but there was so much racket 
in the woman’s quarters that I feared she could 
not enjoy them as she should.” 

heard nothing. It was quiet when I went away.” 


THE YOUNG RANCH MISTRESS. 


105 

Please step and see.” 

Again Patience departed, and presently sounds 
of angry voices all talking at once, and in a jar- 
gon unintelligible to the stranger, but apparently 
clear to the ranchmen, reached their ears. 

Mr. Eliot smiled. 

It’s wonderful what a power that child has 
over those men and women. I always send her 
to manage them, if I can. For they adore her. 
Hark ! They are all berating each other and 
excusing themselves to their mistress.” 

^^How can you understand a word they say? 
What sort of a language is it ? ” 

A patois compounded of Spanish, Indian, Eng- 
lish, and slang.” 

“ Some of it sounds a little rough ! ” 

It probably is. There are a number of Mexi- 
cans — ^ greasers ’ — about the ranch.” 

Yet you allow a young girl like your daughter 
to go among them ? ” 

Why not ? It is not shutting her ears, but 
keeping her heart pure that will make her a good 
woman.” 

Mrs. Rutger was silent. She was pondering her 


io6 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


novel surroundings and trying to reconcile the 
actual David she saw with the phantom David 
of her memory. There was something very con- 
fusing in finding the man toward whom she had 
felt, each in turn, contempt, pity, and forgiveness,' 
quietly assuming to teach her! She was glad of 
the diversion of Patience’s return, and she turned 
to the girl with a smile : — 

My dear, do you never rest ? Are you always 
busy ? ” 

^^Why — I don’t know. Yes; if you call it 
^busy.’ I hadn’t thought about it. You see, I’m 
dad’s housekeeper, and when there are so many 
people together there is always somebody in 
trouble.” Then, turning to her father : It was 
that Alonzo who drove for Cousin Hortense. He 
is betrothed to Anita Bernal, one of the waitresses, 
and she has been flirting with ^ Yankee Jim,’ the 
vaquero. Somebody told Alonzo, Anita denied it, 
and so on. The usual quarrelling and taking 
sides — what you call ^over-electricity in the air.’ 
They were getting so furious that there would 
have been a fight directly, if I hadn’t appeared. 
As it was, I had to drive the men all out of 


THE YOUNG RANCH MISTRESS. Joy 

the court and send the women to bed. I wish 
they wouldn’t wrangle so. But the place is empty 
now. Shall we go out and see the old garden, 
Cousin Hortense? It is one of the oldest in Cali- 
fornia, and my great-great-great-grandmother planted 
the prickly pear hedge with her own hands. It 
was a wall of defence then, but it is only a curi- 
osity now. The gnarled roots and branches are 
like some of Dores fantastic pictures. And will 
you excuse my habit for the rest of the even- 
ing?” 

There is nothing to excuse, dear. It is very 
picturesque and becoming, and looks wonderfully 
comfortable.” 

Dad says that to be comfortably and suitably 
clad is the highest art of dress. We designed this 
together.” 

That night Mrs. Rutger retired to rest, a victim 
to conflicting opinions. A vision of a young girl 
attended by three cow-boys,” riding through a 
canon at night to shoot a crippled horse, mocked 
at another vision of the same maiden, exquisitely 
gowned, daintily presiding at an elegant supper. 

Her last conscious thoughts were: ‘^It is all 


Io8 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

a hopeless muddle. I think — well, I don’t know 
exactly what I think. Except that Patience has 
honest, beautiful eyes, and that I love her 
already.” 


CHAPTER X. 


A BREAKFAST BOUQUET. 

^URE, ma’am, it do be very late. It’s about 
ten of the clock ; but you was sleeping that 
sweet, an’ the rain was pourin’ as if the heavens 
was empty in’ out their wash-water — ” 

Mrs. Rutger sat up in bed and held up her 
hand protestingly. I’m awake at last, anyway, 
so spare me. But what’s that about rain ? ” 

It rains, ma’am ; that’s all,” said the long- 
suffering Bridget-Clotilde, who had as yet not 
broken her own fast, and who felt about as 
agreeable as any other hungry person. 

The mistress went to the window, and pushing 
aside the draperies looked out. Rain ! I should 
think it did ! Why, I never saw anything like 
it. One can’t see a rod from the door, seems to 
me ! Well, there’s no leaving Santa Paula to-day, 
evidently. However, I’ll remember you’re as eager 


109 


I lO 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


for breakfast as I am. Just give me that other 
gown, and I’ll be ready at once.” 

^‘There’s been bells an’ bells a-ringin’ constant. 
It sounds bigger nor any hotel we’ve been in 
yet. There must be a power of folks about; yet 
only for the bells I’d not know a body was alive 
in the place save our own two selves. Oh ! ma’am, 
I don’t know how to tell it right clear, but it’s 
a pretty big house, an’ built without no top to 
it, either. Leastways, we’re on the top, an’ yet 
you can see for yourself we’re close upon the 
ground.” 

Close to the ground, indeed, and our veranda 
flanked by the most magnificent border of callas 
I’ve seen yet in this land of flowers. It’s six 
feet wide if one; and the lilies — they’re innu- 
merable. They are so white they really make a 
bit of light in this gloom outside.” 

Opening the door the lady passed out into a 
long, broad corridor, richly carpeted and adorned 
by lines of pictures as well as by trophies and 
souvenirs ” of various lands, sufficient to set 
Mrs. Rutger’s bric-a-brac-loving heart in a flutter 
of admiration. ^^Well, I shall find enough here 


A BREAKFAST BOUQUET. 


I I I 


to make a dozen days pass quickly, if we are 
storm-stayed so long ! ” she exclaimed, enthusias- 
tically. 

Buenos dias, senora (Good morning, lady),” 
said a pleasant voice behind her, and the stranger 
turned about with a start to see a dark-eyed maid, 
as neatly capped and gowned as if she had just 
stepped out of an aristocratic New York house. 

“ Good morning — ” 

Anita, at your service. The Sehorita Patience 
bade me wait and lead the way to the break- 
fast room. It might be a bit confusing, she 
thought, senora. It’s a biggish place, is Santa 
Paula; but it’s easy to understand already. Did 
the senora rest well, blessing of God?” 

^^So well, Anita, that I fear I have hindered 
the others from their breakfast. Clotilde should 
have waked me earlier.” 

Anita looked a bit puzzled for an instant, then 
her pretty face cleared. Ten thousand pardons, 
but breakfast is when the senora graciously wills.” 

H’m ! I can see where Patience gets some of 
her own gracefully courteous manner,” thought 
Mrs. Rutger, following the waitress’s lead through 


I 12 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


passage after passage, and realizing that Clotilde 
had been quite right in describing this ancient 
structure as a purty big place.” It’s from asso- 
ciating with these Spanish girls, and — but I almost 
forgot the child is half Spanish herself. ^ Old Cali- 
fornian,’ David called it.” 

When they had already crossed what seemed a 
half-dozen lengthy passages, winding in and out in 
the most erratic fashion, Anita turned again with 
that radiant smile of hers, which showed her glis- 
tening white teeth. There is but one more turn, 
gracias a Dios ! It is a mere nothing.” 

Almost as she spoke they reached another door- 
way, and Anita pushed aside the Japanese portiere 
which covered it; then, sweeping a profound cour- 
tesy, motioned the guest to precede her into the 
room. 

Oh, how lovely ! ” burst from Mrs. Eutger’s 

lips. 

Anita was gratified. Does it please the senora ? 
Then it is well, and my mistress will be also glad.” 

But where is she ? Is she not coming to break- 
fast with me ? ” asked the stranger, glancing with 
some surprise at the small table in the corner by 


A BREAKFAST BOUQUET. II3 

the hearthplace prepared for her own solitary 
meal. 

^^But no, senora; if the senora will excuse her, 
Senorita Patience has been long afield already.” 

Afield ! On such a morning as this ? Why, it 
rains in torrents ! ” 

Anita was deftly removing from a closet in the 
passage the daintily cooked food which had been 
ordered for Mrs. Rutger’s especial refreshment; but 
she flashed her dark eyes windowward without 
pausing, and remarked, nonchalantly : Rain ? But 
this is not severe — no. By and by we hope to 
show Senora Rutger what a California rain is like.” 

“ Can anything be worse than this ? In the way 
of a storm, I mean.” 

Anita shrugged her shoulders suggestively. Then 
she begged permission to show Clotilde to her own 
breakfast, while she touched a bell-button to sum- 
mon another attendant for Mrs. Rutger. 

The Easterner took her seat, and glanced about 
her with something of the feeling one might have 
who stepped out of prosaic, everyday, modern life 
into fairyland. On the great hearth blazed huge 
logs of fragrant cedar, their smoke curling upward 


I 14 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

through a chimney wide enough for many to stand 
upright in, while on every side were heaped pots 
of blooming plants, arranged with such skill that 
they seemed to be growing out of the very floors 
and window-ledges. The hangings and furnishings 
of the room were in delicate yellows, which gave 
the effect of sunlight even though the skies were 
dense and dark outside. 

But the thoughtful care of somebody was plain- 
est shown in the little vase of blossoms placed 
beside Mrs. Kutger’s plate, and in the pile of Cali- 
fornia morning papers, each folded to the tele- 
graphic column of Eastern news, anticipating the 
traveller’s desire to learn the latest happenings at 
her home while she sipped her coffee three thou- 
sand miles away. 

^^Well, I shall have to pinch myself to make 
me believe that this is all real. I feel as if I had 
awaked in an enchanted palace, where anything 
I wished for might come instantly to pass,” mur- 
mured Hortense, smelling the magnificent yellow 
roses at her elbow. 

She had forgotten the noiseless Chinese servant 
behind her, till hearing her voice he bowed before 


A BREAKFAST BOUQUET. II5 

her, and begged in his choicest dialect to be told 
the lady’s wishes. 

Wishes ? Oh, I have none ! They have all 
been anticipated.” 

John prostrated himself again, and returned to 
his station behind her chair. 

Well, whoever has been mistress here has done 
her work well ; it doesn’t seem as if all this disci- 
pline could have been achieved by a girl like my 
little cousin Patience. I wish I could see her bright 
face this minute, and thank her for her attentions.” 

And at that moment, as if in answer to this 
unspoken thought of her guest, a girlish laugh 
sounded in the passage, emphasizing the playful 
command : But you must come. Long Mark, my 

dear old boy. Dad would be offended else. What ! 
hang back and pretend to be bashful — you who 
have hobnobbed with — nobody knows who. And 
the very first time in all my life that I’ve seen a 
real fiesh and blood relative. It’s a shame, por 
cierto ! But you’re only teasing me, I know. Com- 
ing ? Sta buen’ ! ” 

A curtain opposite the table lifted, and there 
was Patience, looking like a brilliant flower herself. 


Il6 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

bearing her arms full of glistening yellow poppies. 
Her eyes were dancing with fun, her cheeks glow- 
ing, her curls wind blown and rain sprinkled — her 
whole appearance so cheer-provoking that Mrs. 
Kutger’s heart went out afresh to the gay young 
creature. 

Good morning, cousin. Sorry I was so late, 
but I knew where I could find some poppies — 
though it’s long too early for them to be com- 
mon ; and when I heard you say you’d never seen 
any, why, I hurried to get them. Aren’t they 
beautiful ? Fit emblem of our golden State. How 
did you rest? Isn’t this a glorious rain? And — 
ten thousand pardons, dear Mark ! Cousin Hor- 
tense, Mrs. Rutger, allow me to present one of 
dad’s dearest friends, Mr. Mark Corlear — ^Long 
Mark,’ for short, and a little shaky in the knees 
by reason of his just getting over a bullet wound. 
Received it in saving our lives — dad’s and mine.” 

Long Mark came forward easily enough, though 
smiling indulgently at the comments of his favorite, 
who was evidently privileged to do with him about 
as she pleased. 

have the honor to salute you, madam. It 


A BREA A' FAST BOUQUET. 


II7 


does me proud to meet anybody avIio belongs to 
my Santy Pauly friends; an’ Patience’s tongue says 
a power of things it shouldn’t. How do you like 
California ? ” 

Immensely, so far. Doubly since I reached 
here last night. But, Patience, my dear child, 
do you mean that you have really been out in 
all this terrible storm just to gather these flowers 
for me ? ” 

Por cierto — I mean, of course. Are they what 
you imagined they would be ? ” 

They are bright and beautiful — as their 
donor ! ” said Mrs. Butger, cordially ; and I 
thank you a thousand times, even though I must 
remonstrate against such a hazardous proceeding 
as going through the rain to get them. I hope 
it was not far, and that you will not take cold.” 

Cold ? I never had one in my life ; and I 
love to be in the rain. It wasn’t far, either; not 
more — How far is it to Rattlesnake Glen, Mark 
dear?” 

H’m ! — a matter of ten milesj maybe.” 

You, a girl, have ridden ten miles through 
this deluge to get me a basket of poppies ! ” 


Il8 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Why, yes,” answered Patience, simply, amazed 
in her turn at the other’s astonishment. ^^Why 
not, if they please you? And this rain is noth- 
ing. It is only the beginning. By to-morrow, 
maybe, we’ll show you how gloriously it can rain 
at Santa Paula. It’s fine.” 

Do you like it ? ” asked the stranger, won- 
deringly. 

Like it ! Surely. Isn’t it the rain that makes 
the whole earth break out into a glory of color, 
with its millions of flowers ? Every little seed 
sprouts, and the crops — why, the rain is Heaven- 
sent to everybody, but it’s just the salvation of 
the poor, who haven’t irrigation. Though they’re 
not so many in that case, dad says, except my 
Indian friends. If it weren’t for the rains they'd 
likely starve.” 

“ And a good job, too,” said Corlear. 

^^Now, Long Mark, you’re not to prejudice my 
cousin against my friends. You see. Cousin Hor- 
tense, the Indian question is about the only one 
that Mark and J. differ upon. But, John, bring 
some fresh coffee ; and before we get into that 
matter we’ll invite ourselves to a bit of extra 


A BREAKFAST BOUQUET. 


II9 

breakfast with you. Just for sociability’s sake, 
and because I don’t believe this old globe-trotter 
ever would eat if somebody didn’t remind him it 
was necessary. I must tell you, he’s been ill here 
ever since Christmas Eve, when he saved our 
lives — ” 

^^Here comes the coffee, missy,” interrupted the 
hero of that occasion. ^^And speaking of Injuns — ” 

^^Beg pardon, senorita; but Gaspar says that he 
would like speech with you immediately, if you 
please.” 

Something important, Anita?” asked Patience 
of the maid who thus interrupted. 

He said so, senorita. He was in his riding 
gear, and he made me bring your waterproofs 
all ready for you to put on. So I think — ” 

Very well; I’ll come at once. I’ll leave Cousin 
Hortense to you, dear Mark, and to Anita to care 
for till I get back. I’m sorry to seem inhospitable 
by leaving you, but neither dad nor I have much 
time for just visiting. However, you’ll consider 
yourself mistress of Santa Paula, please ; and of 
everybody and everything in it. Adios.” 

The curtain fell behind the retreating figure of 


120 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


the girl, and Hortense Rutger felt as if the day 
had darkened still more. She looked up and 
caught the eye of Long Mark beaming with love 
and pride. 

H’m ! Nice girl, isn’t she ? I’ve been all over 
the earth more’n once or twice too, and I’ve seen 
none like her. She’s what I call a typical Ameri- 
can princess — which means the best specimen of 
a young woman living. Head clear, mind right, 
loving and giving, and just doing what she ought 
to every time. That’s your typical American girl- 
hood — that’s our little Patience I ” 


CHAPTER XI. 


AN INJUN IN THE CASE. 

Caspar?” 

Caspar, equipped for riding in the storm 
and with his mind intent on business, was a very 
different person than the Caspar who had strutted 
in holiday attire on the streets of Los Angeles. 
His trustworthy face showed no present trace of 
vanity; but, instead, a very great anxiety. 

There is a little trouble, senorita.” 

^^So I supposed, from your summons.” 

It’s among your own people, Sehorita Patience.” 

My people ? — the Indians ? What do you 
mean ? ” 

Caspar shrugged his shoulders significantly. He 
could say a great deal with those gestures of his, 
and Patience had learned to interpret many of 
them. 

Do speak out, boy ! ” 


121 


122 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


^^Well, then, there is a mutiny.” 

Mutiny among the workmen on this ranch ? ” 
It is but the beginning. There has been 

whispering of trouble, caramba ! ever since that 
night at Los Angeles. The story came — how? 
Who knows ? Not by me, nor by old Tomas, 
was it told. For there had been some mutterings 
and displeasures even yet, already. And we know 
^ where the spark falls the flame flashes.’ Sta 
buen’ ! The spark did not fall from our pipes — 
no ! But it is at the Upper Folding. A what 

Yankee Jim calls ^strike.’ Only rumors have yet 

reached here, and I came when I heard, yes. But 

Sehor Eliot has gone elsewhere. Well, then, it is 
well, also. It is yourself, senorita, and none other 
who has influence over these redskins who will 
not work with the vaqueros or they with them. 
Will you ride there, no ? ” 

Certainly. But have you told your errand to 
anybody here ? ” 

No. Why wake children who sleep? A quarrel 
grows when women take a part in it. There are 
many women at Santa Paula, and only one has 
sense ! The senorita’s horse waits.” 


AN INJUN IN THE CASE. I 23 

Patience laughed lightly at the high compliment 
intended her, and which Gaspar accompanied by 
his profoundest bow ; but her spirit rose at the 
prospect of subduing the incipient mutiny,” and 
she remembered with considerable pride how often 
she had filled the role of peacemaker, and been 
commended for it by her beloved padre (father). 

She stepped into a little room beside the door 
opening on the great veranda, and hastily donned 
the fresh suit of waterproof riding clothes which 
Anita had placed there for her. Then she went 
out and was swung into her saddle by Gaspar, 
standing bareheaded in the rain until she came. 

Around by the east windows, boy, please. I 
want to make our cousin’s eyes open wide. She, 
who thinks it so strange that one should ride in 
the rain.” 

They made the slight detour, and Mrs. Rutger 
looked up from her paper to see the girl stooping 
low over her white horse and peering beneath the 
deep visor of her oilskin cap to smile and toss a 
kiss as she rode away. 

Oh, she’s off again ! Why, Mr. Corlear, would 
her father like it? It seems to me she runs a 


124 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

great risk, and that her health is more precious 
to him than anything else. I wish I had asked 
her not to go ! ” 

Long Mark smiled. 

Even at the chance of seeming impolite, I 
think she still would have gone. She generally 
does what she sets out to do.” 

H’m ! Then she is spoiled, as I feared she 
must be. A pity, too, a great pity ! Such a lovely 
girl as she might be with proper training ! ” 

The old friend of Santa Paula elevated his eye- 
brows : — 

Beg pardon, ma’am, but if it was ^ spoiled ’ I 
suggested, I didn’t use the right words. Did it 
ever occur to you that there are some things that 
can’t be spoiled ? Or some folks that don’t 
need governin’, because — they’ve been trained to 
govern themselves ? Patience is young, and she’s 
a bit heady and impatient with the wrongs of 
life, but — she’s thoroughbred ! Sensitive to the 
right, and swift to do it, no matter what it costs 
herself. 

‘^How else, suppose you, got she the whip-hand 
of all the human beings in mixed lots that she 


AN INJUN IN THE CASE. I 25 

does manage ? H’m ! If she ever loses her temper 
it’s against some mean thing; and if she makes 
mistakes she’s noble enough to acknowledge ’em, 
an’ do her best to set things square again.” 

You are very fond of her, I see ! ” 

^^Who isn’t, that knows her? The only thing 
we really disagree on is this pesky Injun question. 
She will insist upon believing they should be 
treated just like white folks, and there she’s mis- 
taken. For, if there’s anything on this earth 
meaner ’n an Injun I haven’t seen it yet, and 
I’ve jogged round considerable. Why, sho ! I 
don’t mind telling you that story Patience men- 
tioned, about what she called saving her life. 
You’ll see for yourself, then, that I’m right.” 

So Long Mark drew a graphic picture of that 
Christmas Eve on the mountain trail, and por- 
trayed in scathing language the inborn wicked- 
ness of a redskin.” 

Why, ma’am, think of the contemptiblest 
piece o’ wickedness you can, and then multiply 
it by a million an’ you’ll begin to get down to 
the poison-ness of the Injun nature. Ugh! It 
makes me sick to talk about them.” 


126 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


After listening to Corlear’s thrilling recital, 
Mrs. Rutger leaned back in her chair, in much 
perplexity. 

I cannot understand this country. One mo- 
ment it seems a very haven of peace, life here 
a truly pastoral existence ; the next, its facts ex- 
ceed in sensationalism the most lurid of cheap 
literature. It’s strange — and fascinating.” 

Yes ; there is nothing like it on the globe. 

Once the real love of the West gets into the 
blood there’s no cure. Better not catch the fever, 
ma’am ! Unless so be as you’re fixed to stay here 
the rest of your days. But I’m going out to see^ 
what’s up. I didn’t like the looks of old Gas- 
par’s face when he rode off after Patience. 
There’s trouble a-foot, and I’d like to know just 
what. I’ll interview Ichy boy, an’ if he’s minded, 
we’ll follow the trail ourselves.” 

Just then the sun broke through the clouds, 
with that suddenness characteristic of a California 
clear-up, and Mrs. Rutger stepped out upon the 

rain-washed veranda to inhale the fresh scent of 
the great gardens, and as she paced up and down 

she saw old Mark on his angular, but swift and 


AN INJUN IN THE CASE. I 27 

valuable, Arabian” pass out from the home 
stable-yard and strike o:ff up the mountain. 

It was night when he returned, and he did not 
apologize for his rough entrance into the lady’s 
presence, all mud-bespattered and travel-soiled as 
he was. His face was haggard and anxious, and 
his eager question sent a thrill of alarm through 
Hortense Rutger’s heart. 

She hasn’t come back, has she? — by any 
other road? Sure? Nobody here seen her?” 

No. I’ve been watching and anxious. What 
does it mean ? ” 

Mark shuddered. 

Her father hasn’t been back either, I sup- 
pose?” 

^^No. ♦ Or I do not know that he has. But 
where is Patience? I did not dream she’d be 
gone all day, like this! I’m worried — ” 

Worried — is it? Worried! Por Dios! If 
you’re a praying woman — and you look it — pray 
now, as you never prayed in your life before, 
that — ” 

That — what ? ” she questioned, frightened 
still further by the distress in his face. 


128 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


That there’s no harm befalls our Patience. 
For — there s an Injun in the case!'' And over- 
come by the picture his own words conjured, 
honest Mark Corlear hurried out of the room. 


CHAPTER XII. 

HOLDING THE WHIP-HAND. 

HOUGH Patience had ridden away in such 



lightness of spirit she soon found that the 
storm was growing much more severe than she 
had imagined it would be ; and^ settling herself 
more firmly in her saddle, she turned her face 
about and beckoned for Gaspar to ride alongside. 

^^Keep close to me, boy, so I can hear all you 
say. Then tell me everything. I don’t want to 
waste time finding things out after I get there. 
Listen — can you hear me ? ” 

The gray-headed ^^boy” responded: ^^En verdad. 
My senorita’s voice carries clear.” 

Who are in this mess up there ? ” 

^^It seemed to be about all.” 

How did you hear ? ” 

^^The wife of a vaquero — Indian Nance — came 
down and whispered it. She hardly dared to say 


129 


130 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST 

anything, for it will cost her dear if she is dis- 
covered \ but she remembered the dead papoose. 
Ah, my lady ! It is these things that rule the 
women’s tongues. What moves the heart — not 
the husband’s will.” 

Oh ! I know. It was the poor little creature 
that was shot by accident. I tried to comfort 
her, of course ; but it was so little I could do. 
Well, what have they done?” 

That I don’t know ; a thousand pardons. 
This was the message of Nance: ^Tell the senorita 
that there is war between the redskins and the 
whites. If she comes not at once, there will lie 
many corpses in the rain before the night falls.’ 
She was frightened, and had crept around by the 
darkest ways so that none of the women should 
see her.” 

Did she tell you nothing else, Gaspar ? Give 
no names, or anything more definite?” 

‘^Caramba! she answered to my question where 
the fault lay, ‘ Where it always lies — at the 
white man’s feet.’ And that is all. My heart is 
in the dust that I can tell you no more.” 

i^Yery well. I’ll soon find out for myself. 


HOLDING THE WHIP-HAND, 131 

But how the water does come down the fields ! 
At this rate the canons will soon be impassable. 
I wish the errand were over and we back again 
on this side the gulch. I wouldn’t miss being at 
home to-night when dad gets back for anything. 
On, Blanco! Yamosl” 

The great brown fields, or meadows, were a 
steady rise of ground all the way from the ranch- 
house to the border of the North Canon, where 
the trail they must follow diverged at right angles 
and ran alongside the brink, or the precipice, for 
several miles to a pass where a steel bridge had 
been fiung across. 

^^But the bridge will hold, senorita? Of a 
truth, did not the master have it built but yester- 
day, as it were?” 

Exactly,” answered Patience, smiling quietly, 
hope it will hold; be sure of that. But did 
ever any bridge hold that was yet builded across 
the ^ Devil’s Pitfall ’ ? Answer me that, Caspar 
boy. And how many has mi padre put up on 
this spot? In verity, I think each time that one 
is swept away he but shuts his lips more grimly 
and starts another. The expert who stretched 


132 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

that gossamer thread — it looks like little else — 
assured my father that it ^ would be there when 
the last trumpet blew.’ We’ll see if it is. And 
that gust ! It’s almost like some trumpet sound, 
itself ! ” 

Gaspar crossed himself devoutly; then clapped 
his hand to his head. Guay ! Ya, ya ! The 
saints save us ! The wind is a tornado ! One’s 
hair is not safe on one’s head! It is best to turn 
back — instante 1 Sehor Eliot will murder old 
Gaspar that he has brought the sehorita into the 
face of this hurricane. It blew not thus at Santa 
Paula. What the housewives prate is true, en ver- 
dad ! This spot is the camping ground of imps. 
They are loose here to-day, caramba!” 

Pouf ! It blows, of course. But remember, 
faint-heart, that never a tornado came to our 
happy Santa Paula — and it is Santa Paula land 
still. It blows, en verdad ! I never knew it 
blow so hard; but the rain is lessening. I can see 
farther ahead. In another moment we will be 
at the bridge, and, once over, the trail is against 
the face of the mountain and less exposed. Now 
a fresh spurt. On, Blanco ! Make haste, Gaspar ! ” 


HOLDING THE WHIP-HAND. 1 33 

The Caballero’s mount was also an excellent 
one, almost as good as the white horse that Pa- 
tience rode ; and he settled himself again to his 
work with the long stride that seemed to set the 
wind in defiance. They gained the narrow sus- 
pension bridge, that swayed from side to side as 
the gusts rocked it and threatened to tear it 
loose from the supports, even though its builder 
had guaranteed its marvellous strength. 

^^Wait, senorita ! It isn’t safe! Surely, you 
would not take your life in your hand ? No ; 
turn back ! Let the Indians fight — if mortal will 
fight in such a storm. Ay de me (woe is me) 
that I ever brought you to this 1 ” 

For one moment Patience hesitated before she 
set her horse to cross the swinging pathway. A 
thousand feet below, the water, already risen to a 
torrent, surged and roared over the jagged rocks; 
but then, ashamed of her own timidity, she waved 
her hand to Gaspar and rode forward. 

I’ll ride first. If I pass safely, you follow 1 ” 
The Caballero would have preferred taking the 
first chance himself. Cowardice was not among 
his faults, and his devotion to his mistress was 


134 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

entire ; but lie brought the roan he rode to as 
firm a standstill as possible and waited while Pa- 
tience passed onward out of sight. For even then, 
while the downfall seemed slackening, the farther 
end of the bridge was veiled in the mist. 

Hola, 0 hola ! ” 

The cry came to him where he waited, faint 
but sure. 

Gracias a Dios ! She’s safe ! Let the imps 
rage, there are angels above ! ” And putting his 
spurs to his horse old Gaspar dashed forward at 
breakneck speed. 

^AYhy so fast, mi amigo?” asked Patience, with 
a touch of mischief, when he drew rein beside 
her in the shelter of the farther mountain side. 

Surely, Gaspar, the brave, wasn’t afraid?” 

May I never know fear if I were not, tlien ! 
There’s many a ride I’ve taken, but I ride not 
back over that cobweb, with the wind blowing the 
flesh from my bones in shreds like this. Not I ! 
In verity.” 

In verity, you are an extravagant talker. But 
now, on again. Another half hour should bring 
us to the Folding.” 


HOLDING THE WHIP-HAND. 


135 


It did, easily. The worst of the storm was over 
for that day, at least, and Patience adjusted her 
cap, shook the water from her dress, and tossed 
back her dripping hair as she drew near the little 
settlement where the two conflicting bands of 
mountaineers lived. 

^^It’s true, Gaspar. There is trouble,” she said, 
quietly pointing to the groups of angry men col- 
lected under one of the great open sheds, and 
whose voices, pitched high in anger, reached her 
as she spoke. 

But it will cease at sight of the senorita,” 
responded the old man, reassuringly. 

I hope it will ! ” Then she rode rapidly for- 
ward among them, sending up the cheerful : — 

Hola, 0 hola ! ” by which she announced her 
coming to any point of the hacienda, and which 
was always recognized by an answering salutation 
wherever it was heard. 

There was no joyful, Grita, senorita ! ” this 
time. Instead, a sudden turning of heads and the 
gleaming of angry eyes with the flashing of some- 
thing even more perilous. 

If her spirit had been roused before, it rose to 


136 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

the highest pitch of determination as this ominous 
silence met her. She drew her bridle tight and 
Blanco reared, then settled back, rigid and obe- 
dient. 

Hola, 0 hola ! ” 

The echo of that clear cry alone came back to 
her from the surrounding mountain tops. All 
else was yet silence ; and a strange look grew on 
Patience Eliot’s face. A few women, wives of the 
vaqueros and hangers-on about the •Folding, who 
were huddled together at one end of the buildings, 
fancied that expression so little that they slunk 
away in shame to the cover of their own cabins. 

^^She was never like that, our sehorita. One 
would not know her for a laughing girl; no, she 
looks a woman — to be feared!” 

Ah ! but how comes she to us at such a time 
as this, through the rain ? Answer me that, Ind- . 
ian Nance I ” retorted a shepherd’s mother, sus- 
piciously. 

^^Was ever the sehorita afraid of rain?” 

^^When she rode in the rain before it was with 
a smile upon her lips. Not with a frown on her 
brow that makes it — a dark day for thee, Nance, 


HOLDING THE WHIP-HAND. 


137 

if thou hast told tales in the valley, or at the 
ranch-house.’’ 

But Nance made no reply. She was straining 
her ears to hear what her eyes no longer dared 
to look upon. 

As for Gaspar, his hand was on his lady’s arm, 
with the deprecating appeal of prudence to youth- 
ful folly. Speak them fair, senorita, por Dios ! 
They are angry men, a score to a side — and we 
are but two. Caramba ! that my tongue had been 
palsied before I brought you into this ! ” 

Patience shook his hand lightly off, scarcely con- 
scious that she did so. Until that moment she 
had not known how utterly and terribly the pas- 
sion of anger can take possession of a human 
being. Never before, in all her memory, had her 
coming failed to elicit a cordial greeting — rather, 
the greeting had already awaited her coming. For 
the first time, also, she realized her own position 
in the world, and a pride as unlike as it was un- 
worthy herself swelled her heart to bursting. For 
the first time in her life, when her intention was 
right, her will was crossed. And — by such as 
these ! The very lowest of all the dependents 


138 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

upon the great estate, who ate of her father’s food 
and were sheltered by his sufferance. 

She saw at a glance that the men were mostly 
armed, this being not so strange, since their call- 
ing demanded that they should be prepared against 
menacing beasts which threatened the safety of 
their flocks ; but, in the height of her indignation, 
it seemed to her that they were armed simply in 
revolt. Against her — Mr. Eliot’s own appointed, 
if girlish, major-domo. 

For the third time she called, Hola, 0 hola ! ” 
And when again the third time only the echo 
answered, she cried out: ^^What does this mean? 
Why are you all idle and your work neglected ? 
Why are all your firearms in your hands instead, 
of in your pockets? Bring them to me!” 

Gaspar could think of nothing but the slender 
steel bridge they had crossed, defying the storm; 
so the angry girl faced the mutinous men, indiffer- 
ent to and ignorant of her peril. 

At last one man stepped forth from among the 
crowd of white workmen, and made his obeisance. 

^^We are glad you have come, senorita. You 
have been always just. You will listen to the 


HOLDING THE WHIP-HAND. 


139 


people of your own race, and give us our 
rights ! ” 

You are glad I have come ? Why, then, did 
you refuse me welcome? Did I ever come but to 
do some of you good?” 

No. En verdad ! But of late the good has 
always been showered upon our enemies, yonder ! ” 
He pointed to the Indians grouped at the other 
extremity of the shed. These had been for some 
months in Mr. Eliot’s employ, and at his daughter’s 
request. She had faith in them, and far more 
affection for them than for these others who had 
had a better chance in life and made less of 
it. 

^^Well, and what of that? Can I not befriend 
those I will? Who began this trouble?” 

^^We will not work with them! They must go. 
If every pesky Injun isn’t out of this camp before 
the night falls — of his own accord — we’ll send 
him out at the end of our revolvers ! ” 

The man’s words were interspersed with oaths, 
and his face was repulsive in its hatred. 

It isn’t you, vaquero, but the whiskey in you 
that gives you the impudence to speak like that 


140 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


to me. If you can understand, please do, that it 
is I who am my father’s representative, and hire 
and discharge his herdsmen. One further word 
from you, save in apology, and I discharge you — 
now and here ! ” 

They were certainly not afraid of her, but her 
voice produced a momentary hush. Mostly they 
were very fond and proud of her, and her present 
pluck deepened this pride, even in a case against 
themselves. 

Bully for the senorita ! ” cried somebody, and 
a cheer rose high. 

For once it called no responsive smile to their 
young mistress’s lips. Her face remained stern 
and unmoved. 

Sam Brush, come here. Will you give me a 
statement of all connected with this business ? ” 

He stepped forward and tried to do so. Un- 
fortunately, at that moment a wily old Indian, 
who had more than once presumed upon Patience’s 
enthusiasm for his race, left the crowd of redskins 
and advanced toward her. 

Get back ! Get . back ! White men first ! ” 
shouted somebody in the opposing party. 


HOLDING THE WHIP-HAND. I4I 

The Indian still advanced, and the white man 
leaped to meet him. 

Halt ! Let any man — red or white — move one 
step more, and I shoot ! ” 

The girl, sitting above them on her snow-white 
horse, with her grimly set lips and her outstretched 
hand, in which glittered a richly mounted revolver, 
, was a picture that those who saw never forgot. 
Every man and woman watching knew her for a 
perfect shot. Why should she not be ? Had they 
not spent their lives in teaching her, and in boast- 
ing of her skill? 

Either the two advancing figures — the Indian’s 
and the white man’s — were alone unconscious, or 
they were reckless with fury. As with one im- 
pulse, each ran to meet his foe — and Patience’s 
pistol-shot echoed among the hills. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON. 

ITH that echo came regretful reflection to 



the angry girl.. As in a lightning’s flash 
she saw all the miserable results that would follow, 
and her late unreasoning fury died as suddenly as 
it had arisen. 

Herself once more, the Patience who held the 
government of so many turbulent spirits in such 
easy grasp because, as old Mark had put it, She 
had first learned to command herself,” she rode 
forward under the shed. 

Stop ! Don’t shoot ! Put up your arms ! 
Listen — oh, listen to me!” 

But it was too late. Her own shot had been 
the one spark ” that fell and set the flame flash- 
ing.” It was a battle to the death. Both groups 
of men were fierce and almost lawless, and one 
was savage quite. The slight restraints of a 


142 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON 1 43 

frontier civilization fell away from them, and for 
a while there was chaos. 

Patience, on her white horse, was in the midst 
of it always. In vain Gaspar tried to force her 
out of range of bullets, but he was himself forced 
to retreat and watch her from a distance. 

Ay de mi ! but she bears a charmed life ! 
See ! but she cuts them right and left with her 
whip, and everywhere she brings peace. Caramba ! 
If she lives ! 

The affair was quickly over. It ’was maybe 
the sight of their own wounded comrades, or it 
might have been the passionate grief and en- 
treaties of their young mistress, but the firing 
soon ceased, and the strike’' at the Upper Fold- 
ing was subdued. 

Caramba ! You fought well, senorita ! ” cried 
an admiring greaser.” ‘^It was a sight for a 
lifetime.” 

^‘Hush! Call the women. There is work for 
them to do here now.” 

They came, still timid, or else ferocious ; these 
last among those whose men-folk had been 
wounded, but all so far obedient that they ren- 


144 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


dered mechanically the aid which Patience or- 
dered. 

^^Here, Gaspar, you’re an old soldier of many 
brawls, if your own tales of youth are true ! 
Take charge of these, and we’ll dress the wounds 
as fast as we can.” Then she stood up : A 
double-eagle to the man who rides first to Santa 
Paula and brings the doctor here. Two double- 
eagles if he gets back within two hours ! ” 

^^But that is impossible, senorita,” said one, 
returning after a brief riding. “ The bridge is 
down, and the canon is a river — full of whirl- 
pools.” 

Consternation fell upon all who heard the story. 

The bridge down ” 

This meant that they were cut off from all con- 
nection with the outer world, for the rain had 
made the canon itself impassable. 

Patience’s heart sank. It was not, however, on 
her own account and because she was, also, effectu- 
ally prevented from returning home, but because 
there was one among the wounded men whose 
case seemed desperate. 

^^The rest will do, yes. But Sam Brush will 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON. 1 45 

die if help comes not. Old Gaspar’s wit goes not 
so far as a broken head — of that sort, no. Then 
help will come.” 

Patience rose as she spoke and tightened her 
belt, as one preparing for a fight. 

Gaspar shrugged his shoulders. 

Si ? But how ? Are there spirits in the air 
to carry messages? If so, then, yes. Otherwise, 
the end must be as it was to be from the begin- 
ning.” 

That’s what dad calls fatalism. It’s not the 
truth. If help will save poor Brush, help he will 
have. Bring Blanco. He’s tired, poor fellow, 
but he’s better so than any other horse at his 
freshest.” 

^^Caramba! What would you do, my lady?” 

Bring help, I tell you.” 

You cannot ! You dare not ! You — shall 
not! No ! For the love of your father, the senor, 
no ! I will not bring Blanco.” 

Again a light flashed in Patience’s eyes, but 
this time it was neither fierce nor unholy with 
unreasoning anger. It was pitiful with high re- 
solve. A smile more sad than any her old at- 


146 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

tendant had ever seen upon her lips curved them 
as she said: — 

You, also, mi amigo ? Am I to be flouted 
and set at naught by everybody, all at once ? 
Truly, I learn humility at a lightning’s flash 
from every side. But it’s all right. I will be 
neither foolhardy nor over-confident. I believe I 
can find a way to Santa Paula, even though the 
canon is afloat. A spot I’ve noticed now and 
then, and always meant to try, only the bridge 
was easier. Now — necessity, you know! Wish 
me God-speed, good Gaspar, and fetch me Blanco 
from the corral 1 ” 

^^If you go, I go also.” 

If I go, you stay.” 

Because I love you, senorita. Haven’t I 
brought you up, almost? To ride as no other 
girl can ride ? Would you dare what Gaspar 
dares not, old though he is?” 

Indeed, I think I would ! Kemember the 
bridge! But, if you love me, then, because you 
love me, stay ! Wait ! Listen ! Swing me up 
to that scaffolding there. I will speak to the 
people first.” 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON. 147 

As if she were mounting a horse, he stooped 
and held his palm, and touching the old man’s 
hand but lightly. Patience sprang to the raised 
platform and held up her hand for silence. She 
did not now have to command a second time. 
The two parties, whites and Indians, did, indeed, 
remain apart, but that was customary and not 
objectionable. Yet the hatred and violence had 
died in the presence of the suffering of a common 
humanity and in the prospect of a still graver 
ending to their late dispute. 

The Westerner is said to regard death hut 
lightly, but this was not true of these mountain- 
eers, at least. Sam Brush had been their leading 
spirit, and he was known for a brave man. All 
men vrorship some hero, and these secluded crea- 
tures had made poor Sam their own. 

Listen, lads! There is a possibility that poor 
Sam may yet be saved, if I can get the doctor 
here. I’m going to try. I, alone. I think I 
know a way to ford the canon — even in this 
flood, and I’m going to seek it. I rely upon you 
all to remain faithful and quiet while I am gone, 
doing your duty. I blame myself for this trouble. 


148 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

If I’d been gentler and more patient, you would 
have been the same. Forgive me, and don’t give 
me more to regret by further misbehaving. Gas- 
par is my agent here. Do exactly what he tells 
you, and take good care of the wounded. Also, 
those whose business it is, look after your sheep. 
They, poor creatures, are innocent enough, and 
they should have been corralled hours ago. What 
will the master say, when he comes ? Good-by ! 
We’re oh, Blanco and I. Wish us safe journey 
and good luck ! ” 

Gaspar had brought the white horse round, and 
she leaped down upon his broad saddle, as she 
spoke, with an agility that many a circus-rider 
might have envied, and that was but another of the 
accomplishments her ranch friends had taught her. 

A cheer went up that echoed loudly from side 
to side, even poor Brush moving his head slightly, 
as if some consciousness of what was going on 
about him reached his benumbed brain; and these 
superstitious folk took it as good omen that just 
as the thoroughbred disappeared over the rise that 
dipped down again into the canon, the sun burst 
out with a blinding glory. 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON. 1 49 

^^Now, Blanco, for your honor, travel as you 
have never done before. It’s to save life, my 
beauty — life that your unhappy mistress has en- 
dangered ! Vamos ! Pasa ! Bien ! ” 

For a brief distance the two journeyed down- 
ward into the ravine in a smooth trot. The thor- 
oughbred was sure of foot and the way not so 
difficult, but at a turn in the canoii wall they 
found themselves suddenly confronted by a land- 
slide that effectually barred their further prog- 
ress. 

^^Oh, this is too bad! It. was just this way, 
I remember, to the little pass I hoped to reach. 
What shall I do 1 But — well, when one can’t 
go forward one must certainly go back. And it’s 
dark down here. Hark ! What w^as that ? ” 

There was a rush, a crash of loosened rock and 
soil, and Blanco wheeled in terror. 

Oh, we’re lost 1 Imprisoned ! A landslide 
behind us now, too I Blanco 1 dad — poor dad I 
poor dad 1 ” 

At that supreme moment when hope seemed 
suddenly cut off from her, it was not of her own 
peril the loving daughter first thought. She 


150 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

seemed for an instant numbed to her own suffer- 
ing, but she saw as in a mirror the grief-torn face 
of the parent she adored. 

Then she took courage and looked about her. 
The canon wall rose sheer and straight, a wall just 
there of ^Hiving rock.” Behind her and before 
her the whole ravine was filled with the mass of 
debris that towered higher than she could see. 
While below, in the bottom of the gulch, raged a 
torrent that would drown anything which tempted 
it, and down which were sweeping at that moment 
great blocks of loosened earth and stones, uprooted 
trees, and all the frightful ruins of a mighty flood. 

For a second moment Patience felt herself sink- 
ing beneath a deathly faintness ; then she rallied 
her courage and laid her hand upon Blanco’s quiv- 
ering neck. 

Courage, my pet ! One thing we can thank 
God for — we are not dead!” 

The chance she contemplated turned her giddy 
again. 

It might have struck right here as well as 
there^ behind us or before. But — it didnt. 
There’s a God rules still, my Blanco I ” 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON 151 

And she raised her eyes in the devoutest 
thanksgiving her heart had ever known. 

Raised them to rest upon a dark, sinister face 
peering down upon her out of the clouds above ; 
or so, at first, it seemed. Her heart contracted 
with a fresh fear, the look was so forbidding ; 
then expanded with new hope — it was a human 
face ! 

^^Oh, whoever you are, can you help me?’^ 

‘‘1 am the enemy of your race.” 

I am the friend of yours. You are an Indian. 
I know you. I’ve seen you on the streets. You 
sell bows and arrows. Will you help me?” 

^^And I know you, daughter of the rich man. 
They call you ^Princess.’ Well, we are in the 
same canoe here, paleface. All die one death, 
redskins and white, but the whites suffer most.” 

You mean to be cruel, and that is your own 
affair. But you are, I know, wise in some things ; 
you Indians know the mountains and canons even 
better than we do. Will you help me out? I go 
to bring a doctor for a wounded man.” 

^^I know. Wounded by one of my people — he’s 
well served! You, too, are in my power.” 


152 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

I am not. There is a Power higher than 
yours, and you mistake me. I am your friend — 
the friend of all your nation. I don’t say this 
because I need you now ; you may ask it of all 
who know me, Patience Eliot.” 

^^And your father is our enemy. Where he 
rules now we ruled once. But for gold I will help 
you. I can ; I know a way.” 

For gold, then,” answered Patience, and despite 
her desperation her lip curled scornfully. 

Ouleon saw it and smiled with answering dis- 
dain ; but he climbed down the crumbling mass 
of rain-soaked earth with the lightness and agility 
of a cat, and presently landed on his feet beside 
the white horse. As he did so his entire manner 
changed. He became, or affected to become, re- 
spectful, and his tone was altered to one of solici- 
tude. This was intended to disarm Patience of any 
fear she retained concerning his actions, and it did 
mislead her. 

If you will let me blind your eyes you will 
ride with a surer head. The way is dangerous — 
you will fall otherwise.” 

^^Ride? How can one ride out of this hole?” 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON. 


153 

I know a way. I will take you over it if you 
will trust me.” 

She scrutinized him closely for an instant and, 
despite her romantic faith in his race, a misgiving 
shot through her mind. Then she looked upward, 
backward, all around. By herself, of her own wis- 
dom, she could never escape from that prison of 
earth and water until the flood should subside. 
That might not be for weeks, since the winter 
rains were just beginning, and it might easily rise 
to drown her where she was entrapped. 

I’m in a desperate strait. I must trust you. 
But why should I not ? Why should you wish to 
harm me?” 

Why, indeed ! Will you lend me your hand- 
kerchief?” 

She allowed him to bandage her eyes with it, 
and, as soon as this was done, she felt that Blanco 
was being led forward and upward. It seemed 
improbable to her that this should be over the soft 
mass of freshly fallen earth, but she realized that 
there was no other exit possible; and from the 
rough passage, the slips and flounderings of her 


154 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

faithful horse, she knew that she was climbing 
almost perpendicularly. 

But she sat her saddle as firmly as possible, and 
clung to it with both hands. 

At the end of what she judged might be five 
minutes her progress was stopped. 

^‘You will have to dismount and walk here.’' 

Surely I can ride wherever Blanco can step, 
and he mustn’t be left behind.” 

You will be safer on your feet. The ledge is 
narrow. To ride would be to brush yourself 
against the rocks — and off. The fall is very deep. 
You would be dead before you reached the bottom. 
Blanco is wise; he will step carefully, and if he 
falls, it is but a horse. Still, he will not fall, nor 
you — if you obey my advice. Ready?” 

It seemed strange to her afterward, that even in 
the midst of that anxious pause she reflected upon 
the excellent English that Ouleon used, and how 
she would utilize it in argument on behalf of her 
schemes to educate his more ignorant brethren. 

Ready.” She put her hand trustingly into the 
hand of her guide and felt herself led along the 
hazardous way. 


IMPRISONED IN THE CANON 1 55 

One foot exactly before the other. Hug the 
rock on the right ; force all your weight that 
way.” 

That awful passage seemed to last forever; and, 
indeed, had Patience’s eyes been unbandaged she 
could never have made it alive, because of the 
horror and dizziness that would have assailed her. 
As it ended she heard Ouleon sigh in relief, and 
realized that she had come into a broader place, 
and, after a few rods farther, she was bidden to 
sit down upon this stone and rest a moment ; I 
will go back and help the horse.” 

‘^Can I uncover my eyes?” 

^^Not yet. Not until I hid you^ 

She sat obediently quiet, thinking so busily that 
she scarcely noticed, above the roar of the water 
and sighing of the wind, the sound of a heavy 
object being moved cautiously forward, till the 
sudden darkening of the little light visible through 
the folds of the bandage startled her. Instinc- 
tively she clutched the cloth away and found her- 
self in an impenetrable gloom. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


LONG MARK AND OULEON MEET. 

HEN Long Mark left the home-piece of Santa 



^ ^ Paula and set out for the Upper Folding 
he was half ashamed of his own forebodings. 

I reckon your master’s getting an old fool, Ichy 
boy ! ” he said to his “ familiar,” the Arabian horse, 
^^but I’ve noticed along hack, I don’t get over 
tumbles an’ wounds as fast as I used to do. Get- 
ting old, Ichabod. So are you. Well, my lad, let’s 
hope that when the time comes for us to shuffle off 
this mortal, et cetera, we’ll do it in company and 
to the tune o’ Yankee Doodle. Best tune ever 
invented either to live or die by, Ichy, isn’t it?” 

Ichabod neighed ; whether in response to this 
pertinent question, or because he had been ridden 
so little of late that the breath of the mountains 
was sweet in his nostrils. 

That’s right; never forget, my beauty, that 


156 


LONG MARK AND OULEON MEET. 


157 


you ve had your citizen papers out, so to speak, 
this dozen years. Doesn’t make any difference if 
you were born in Araby the blest, you’ve been a 
good American for quite a spell. So long ’t you’ve 
about forgotten everything else. That is, it would 
be if you were just some ordinary horse, not Icha- 
bod. G’lang there ! ” 

Then he rode swiftly over the plains, but by a 
different route from that taken by Patience and 
Gaspar, yet leading to the same goal. 

I wouldn’t have my little Patience take the wind 
out of her sails by suspecting she’d been watched. 
No, siree. She’s all right — if those redskins are 
all right. But she’s been cosseting them, her dad 
tells me, more’n usual this while back, and they’re 
the sort of vermin can’t stand prosperity. Viper 
in the bosom, you know, Ichy. Well, you don’t 
love an Injun any better’n I do; that’s to your 
credit, my boy. And say, Ichy, you needn’t bother 
to travel quite so fast. I — I hate to allow it, I 
hate to like poison; but — don’t mention it, please 
— I’m not quite so peart as I was before I got 
shot that night. Patty’s nursed me right faithful, 
an’ David’s done everything a mortal can. So’s 


158 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

the doctor ; but — I’m shaky in the knees yet ; an’ 
— another secret, laddie — I’m not so young as I 
used to be. G’lang ! ” 

It would have puzzled an animal less accustomed 
to the peculiarities of Long Mark to have known 
just when speed was or was not required of him ; 
but the truth was that the very suggestion of im- 
pending age and its possible uselessness angered 
Corlear before it had left his own lips. 

G’lang, I tell you. I’ve no business to abuse 
myself, an’ I’d knock any other fellow down that 
did it. Yet say, Ichy, isn’t it clearin’ up beautiful ? 
Ever see such sunshine after a storm in any other 
part of this created? You know you didn’t. Well, 
it’s putting new life into me. I guess it ish’t old 
age, after all, laddie ; but just being cosseted. Too 
much attention isn’t good for man nor beast. It’s 
most as bad for us as ’tis for Injuns. But it’s 
rainin’ again. ‘Rain when the sun shines rain 
again to-morrow.’ Well, of course; that’s what 
we want it to do here in Calif orny. G’lang there!” 

For a long time they rode in solitude, then Mark 
espied a herder crossing the mesa beyond, and 
loped forward to join him. 


LONG MARK AND OULEON MEET. 159 

Hello, friend ! where you bound ? ’’ 

^^To the Folding.” 

Good enough ; that’s where I’m going, too. All 
serene up there ? ” 

No, nor won’t be as long’s there’s Injuns mixed 
up with white folks.” 

Don’t understand why not,” said Long Mark, 
to draw the other out. 

^^Well, you see, it’s different. It’s a new thing 
at San’ Paula to use them critters for help. This 
has always been a white man’s ranch an’ run by 
white men. It’s the doin’s of Miss Patience, but 
it don’t seem to work. There’s been trouble afore, 
an’ there’ll be trouble ag’in if she mixes ’em. 
Leastways, till she trains ’em to be a little less 
sassy.” 

Trouble ? What sort of trouble ? You needn’t 
be afraid to trust me. I’m Long Mark. Ever 
heard of me ? ” 

^^Yes. Shake. I always want to when I meet 
a square man.” 

Here ’tis,” responded Corlear, cordially ofering 
his hand. ^^Well, if you’ve heard of me you’ve 
probably heard, also, that I hate Injuns worse than 


i6o 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


poison. So tell the whole business. You can trust 
it to go no further — unless it’s for the best.” 

The herder was full of his subject and he venti- 
lated it thoroughly; but when he had finished, 
Long Mark observed : — 

^^Well, I hate to own it, yet in this case seems 
to me it’s some of those white fellars who are raisin’ 
the rumpus. That’s the way it looks to me. I 
wish friend Eliot wouldn’t allow Injuns on the 
ranch; but seeing he does, why a fellow’s got to 
be fair in judging of ’em. This row up at the 
Folding certainly began with the whites, according 
to your own tell. H’mm, no matter. Here we are 
about at the canon, an’ I propose to tackle a pass 
I know here. Haven’t been across it in nigh on 
two years ; but — Hello ! sounds so the mis’able 
hole’s full of boiling water ! Didn’t know so much 
had fallen already.” 

The two riders stopped on the brink of the 
gulch and tried to see what lay below. But an 
impenetrable darkness now hid the depths, which 
even in the brightest day were shrouded in gloom. 
So deep was it, and so precipitous the canon 
walls, that even in the dry season few would 


LONG MARK AND OULEON MEET. l6l 

have ventured the descent to the pass, and though 
Long Mark rarely paused before any undertaking 
he had planned, he did pause now. 

That’s mean. I thought I’d save time by 
crossing here. Though I don’t care to waste any 
in delving down a trail like this, just to turn round 
at the bottom and crawl back again. Sound’s 
if half the gorge was full.” 

^^Keckon it is. There’s been some big landslides 
a’ready. An hour of a good Californy freshet 
can gen’ally play the mischief with the face of 
natur’, so to say. An’ it rained all night. Well, 
we’ll have to go on to the bridge,” answered the 
herder. 

^^How do you know that’s there yet? Never 
would one last much longer’n it was being put up.” 

It was there when I went down. The wind’s 
risen since, though. So — h’mm. Can’t you see 
something moving down in the gulch? No; not 
over there — here! Right below us.” 

Long Mark leaped to the ground, and bending 
over the edge of the abyss peered into its depths. 

Yes, I do see something. It looks like an 
animal. Couldn’t be a horse, could it?” 


i 62 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Don’t see how it could be — and there. The 
other slope’s worse than this one.” 

Mark stepped behind a stone, and thus shaded 
from the sun knelt down and continued his ob- 
servations of the deeps below. From time to time 
his ejaculations reached the herder, who had not 
left his own saddle but had contented himself 
with receiving the other’s report. 

Say. It acts like a horse. Poor creature ! 
How came it there ? ” 

Strayed, most like.” 

Well, I’ll wait for it to come up. If it’s a 
ridden one we’ll hear how the pass is. If it 
isn’t — ” 

This time the pause was so long that the herder 
inquired, ^^Well, the critter’s a-comin’ up?” 

It — lit is — ” 

It — what ? What ails you ? Anything — 
wrong ? ” 

Mark tumbled back on the ground and covered 
his eyes with his hand. 

Blame my eyes! They’re weaker than water 
somehow. Can’t see straight. Look down your- 
self. What is it ? ” 


LONG MARK AND OULEON MEET. 163 

It s — a — horse. A Avhite horse. As white 
as Miss Patience’s Blanco.” 

“You — shan’t say it. It isn’t Blanco. It 
can’t be ! ” 

“It is.’’ 

^'Who — who’s — riding him?” demanded Cor- 
lear, in a tragic whisper. 

Why, man alive, what’s the matter ? Crazy ? 
The horse is all right.” 

Who’s riding him?” again demanded the old 
traveller. 

Looks like an — Injun ! ’ Tis — an Injun ! 

What does that mean ? ” 

Mark groaned. 

^^It means that Blanco’s mistress is — God help 
her ! ” 

Trash 1 She’s probably lent him — ” 

Trash, yourself ! When it’s her lifelong boast 
that no other human being ever sat that crea- 
ture’s back ! Hold me — when he comes. Don’t 
let me tear the life out of him till he’s told his 
story.” 

The herder was now convinced that his com- 
panion was suddenly crazed. He was but recover- 


164 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

ing from a wound-fever. It was natural, and he’d 
better lead the poor chap away from the chasm 
lest he should take a notion to throw himself 
over. Yet he hesitated to attempt this. 

The white horse came clearer into view. The 
Indian who bestrode him was also recognizable ; 
at least, by Mark Corlear, who stood with clinched 
fists and rigid face awaiting the result. 

At last Ouleon stood upon the cliff, a few feet 
away. On his face, also, was the gleam of recog- 
nition. 

Well?” 

This one word seemed hurled at the newcomer 
by the gray lips of the questioner, Mark. 

The sehorita’s horse, I found it wandering 
in the canon,” said Ouleon, quietly; yet with a 
curious gleam in his narrow, dark eyes which 
made the herder think he had not one but two 
crazed men to deal with. 

‘‘And the senorita, where is she?” 

The Indian shrugged his shoulders, while some- 
thing like a smile flitted over his otherwise impas- 
sive face. 


“Ask of the flood below.' 


LONG MARK AND OULEON MEET. 1 65 

Liar ! ” yelled Mark, and leaped at the red 
man’s throat. But even as he did so the sicken- 
ing possibility that the Indian’s suggestion might 
be true sent his hand palsied to his side. 


CHAPTER XV. 


THE SEARCH BEGUN. 

'^HE herder stepped between these two; but he 
need have feared no violence. 

Mark felt that he was treating with a rattle- 
snake, yet he knew also that he would gain no 
point by further aggravating the red man’s hatred. 
He asked, as quietly as he could : — 

^‘What do you mean?” 

Is not the white man wise ? Could one live 
in yonder torrent ? Listen ! ” 

The sound of the roaring w'ater came distinctly 
to them in the lull of the wind, and the sun dark- 
ened appreciably. Mark looked upward. Heavy 
clouds were already sweeping up from every quar- 
ter to cover the heavens with a pall. It would 
rain presently — even as it had not rained before. 
One would want shelter then ; but — Patience ! 
Hark ! Did you see her dead body ? ” 


166 


THE SEARCH BEGUN. 1 67 

body could remain in one spot for an in- 
stant. Already there are trees from a score of 
miles away, lying down there. One should look 
for the young ranch mistress yonder.” He pointed 
to the far distance westward. 

Mark’s anger suddenly flamed afresh. 

I understand you, scoundrel ! What you know 
you will not tell. Well, then. I’ll And a way to 
wrest your secret out of your body, or I’ll die 
trying it! I know you. It was you I rode along 
the trail with that Christmas Eve. It vras you, 
you serpent, who poisoned the Fairy Spring, where 
you hoped that the best friend an Indian ever 
had would surely drink — your reason, only 
Heaven and you know. But hear me well. I 
was sent upon your trail then, and in time. By 
whom?” Mark raised his hand above, and the 
superstitious nature of the mission-trained Indian 
recoiled. 

^^The white man is wise. If he wishes to seek 
the girl that some call ^ princess ’ in the canon, 
I will help him. I know the way, even in a 
flood.” 

H’m ! And a direct road you’d lead me. 


1 68 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

wouldn’t you ? No, you obliging rattlesnake ! I’ll 
stay this side the gulch a minute longer. Then 
there’ll be so many men out over these moun- 
tains, that you can’t see the ground for the thick- 
ness of them. Men — men — I tell you, with souls 
in their bodies, searching for Patience. But, so long. 
What am I raging an’ wasting time here for ? 
Our Patience isn’t dead ; she can’t be ; that 
never was written — never! She’ll come home all 
right. And maybe there vron’t be vengeance in 
the land 1 I’ve heard of you. You’re a fanatic 
— a sort of leader or would-be leader in your 
nation! You aspire to sit in the great pow-wow 
at W ashington, and smoke pipes with ' the Great 
White Father of this American people. That’s 
you’re after money everlastingly, that you 
can go with a big spread of glory; and I believe 
that you are after it now. Well, maybe you’ll 
get it, an’ maybe you won’t! I’ve heard there 
was plenty at the bottom of the ^Devil’s Pitfall,’ 
down yonder. Go seek it there! It’s a safer way, 
even that, than buying it with the blood of an 
angel — of our Patience ! ” 

Before the awestruck herder could realize what 


THE SEARCH BEGUN, 


169 


was happening, or the Indian defend himself, Long 
Mark had lifted Ouleon in his mighty arms and 
hurled him over the cliff. 

Then, with the air of one who had itried to do 
his first duty, and was eager for the next, he 
sprang to Ichabod’s back, slipped his hand through 
Blanco’s rein, and rode furiously away. 

The herder pushed his broncho after. The little 
beast had caught the infection of the hour, and 
^^did himself proud, for he clicked it with the 
’Rabian,” his master afterward explained. 

Presently he came alongside, and Long Mark 
paused. He had thought over a dozen plans, only 
to reject each in its turn. He turned to this na- 
tive mountaineer in a last hope of aid. 

Can’t you find another way — a shorter — to 
the Folding? Mine didn’t seem to work” — he 
smiled grimly — yet I’m glad I took it. I always 
am glad when I go it blind. Before we raise a 
general hullabaloo on the strength of an Injun’s 
lying — because like as not he stole Blanco, and 
our Patience is up there waiting for him this min- 
— it’s common-sense to go to the last place we 
know her to be at, and find her there — if we 


1 70 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

can. If we can’t, an’ if — if — she is nevermore 
to be found, then prepare for an Injun war such 
as never went down in any United States his- 
tory; and that’ll mean a clean extermination, 
root, branch, and blossom, of the whole breed. Do 
you ? ” 

^^We’d better try the bridge. An’ there’s sense 
in what you say now. I don’t believe harm’s 
come to the sehorita. Turn this way — north.” 

But when they reached the spot where the bridge 
had stood, it had long been gone. Fragments of 
its glittering strands hung fluttering from the abut- 
ments, and Long Mark’s heart sank lower still; 
for, despite his bravado, he was full of dire fore- 
boding. 

^^Well, that looks bad. The Folding’s on the 
other side; but we’ve got to get there. Weve 
got to. Now, how?” 

It was by a roundabout road; a road that no- 
body save one who had tracked sheep over those 
desolate mountains could ever have remembered, 
and found again to follow ; a road so difficult that 
more than once they gave it up and faced about, 
only to discover that the path they had just crossed 


THE SEARCH BEGUN. I7I 

seemed equally impossible. Then they took heart 
of grace and crept forward, inch by inch, till at 
last, spent in strength and drenched by the freshly- 
falling rain, they reached the camp and staggered 
into it. 

The first to meet them was old Gaspar, who 
questioned eagerly, looking all the while at the 
exhausted Blanco, ^^Did she send him back?’’ 

Send him back ? I fetched him back, you mean. 
Didn’t he run away?” 

^^Yes — with the sehorita in the saddle! the only 
way he ever ran.” 

What do you mean ? What’s been doing up 
here ? What — ” 

^^Ten thousand pardons, Senor Mark, but this is 
not the time for jests — no. Did my little mis- 
tress reach her home? Has she sent the doctor 
yet? Else Sam Brush will surely die already. I 
can do no more.” 

Let him die, then. Who is Sam Brush, that 
he should come before our Lady Patience ? ” for 
Mark Corlear was again almost beside himself with 
fear and anxiety. 

Gaspar was wise, and understood the other man s 


1^2 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

distress. He briefly told all the happenings of that 
day at the Folding, and the bravery with which 
Patience Eliot had ridden away on an errand no 
other would undertake, to bring assistance to the 
wounded man. 

Mark paced up and down as he listened, gradu- 
ally growing calmer, with the calmness which is 
born of despair. Everything seemed forcing him 
to believe that the Indian Gideon’s story was a 
true one ; yet again and again did his loyal heart 
refuse this credence. 

It cannot be ; it shall not be. Only this morn- 
ing I saw her coming through the rain, fair and 
rosy, laden with blossoms, fuller of health and life 
than anybody else I know — and now — por Dios ! 
I can’t bear it ; I must be after her ! ” 

Where?” 

The single word of interrogation arrested him. 
Where, indeed? He leaned his head against Icha- 
bod’s shoulder, and that sympathetic animal seemed 
to shudder in unison. 

Then something came into his mind that he had 
once heard his beloved Patience say : If ever 
there is anything I can do for anybody that will 


THE SEARCH BEGUN. I 73 

help them, I will do it. That’s life, dad says, to 
be kind and helpful always.” 

Bless her ! she’s showing me the way, and I’ll 
follow it blind. Who knows where it may lead?” 
As this thought came to steady his resolves, he 
turned quietly toward old Gaspar. Where is 
this Sam Brush ? I’m a sort of doctor myself, 
and I’ve taken enough bullets out of people to 
sink a ship. I’ll help him.” 

He was quite able. He had had a surgeon’s 
education in his youth, and his roving life had 
given him a wider, if less profitable, practice than 
he could possibly have attained in a quieter sphere. 
A short time enabled him to give the patient re- 
lief and a possible chance for recovery. But he 
had gotten himself into business. All who had 
been injured in the mUee^ save a few of the Ind- 
ians, pressed round him to have him examine their 
own wounds, and to assure them that old Gaspar’ s 
skill was sound. 

Great Caesar ! Do you think I can stay fool- 
ing here ? Don’t you know that the girl who 
came to stop your quarrelling, and shame you into 
manhood again, may be lying at the bottom of 


174 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

yonder gulch? However, she went for a doctor, 
and I’m he. If not the one she was after, maybe 
as good a fellow, too. Now, is that the end ? 
Yes, you’re all right. Then, I’m off. Who’ll 
lend his fresh horse to me ? Who will ride with 
me himself ? For Blanco and my old Ichy boy 
must rest first. Now, quick ! ” 

Where to, senor ? ” 

Heaven knows. Anywhere that it directs — 
straight to our precious senorita, if it pleases ! ” 

In ten minutes a goodly band had assembled. 
Not so large as it should have been by the loss of 
the wounded, and of those who must do double 
duty at the corrals, yet still enough to scour every 
at all familiar trail which should prove passable 
between the Upper Folding and the ranch-house. 

But fruitless of result, to end, or halt, that 
search by Long Mark’s questions as he entered 
Mrs. Kutger’s presence with the announcement. 
There’s an Injun in the case.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


TULITA AND DAVID. 

TT was a fortnight after the uprising at the 
Upper Folding. During all this time not a 
trace had been found of the missing Patience, 
though thousands of men were still, and had been, 
continually searching for some sign of her where- 
abouts, alive or dead. 

Opinion was about equally divided as to these 
two possibilities, and nothing was so widely dis- 
cussed through all the reading world as her mis- 
fortune ; for those who had never heard of David 
Eliot, the Sheep King,” heard of him as the 
stricken father, bereaved of his only child. By 
this affliction ministers in their pulpits pointed a 
moral on the vanity of wealth, and how little all 
possessions would avail if one lost what was dearer 
than his own soul. 

What, indeed, were David Eliot’s dollars to him 

176 


176 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

then? In themselves as much, perhaps, as they 
had ever been — a power for good in the world; 
but she who was to have lived after him, and taken 
h^r lifetime to dispense what it had taken his 
lifetime to accumulate — where was she ? 

Mrs. Eutger had not left Santa Paula. She 
felt that her coming there had been a fortunate 
thing, for she was able, somewhat, to relieve her 
cousin David from the strain of meeting people 
and answering questions ; though save for the 
haggard look upon his fine face and the sad altera- 
tion in his appearance, the man gave little sign of 
what he endured during that fortnight of sus- 
pense. 

This night she felt impelled to seek him, where 
he had shut himself in his owm library; and on 
the way thither she met old Mark, who looked 
scarcely less worn than Mr. Eliot himself, but who 
had not once abandoned hope. 

Oh, Mr. Corlear ! I want advice. There’s a 
girl in one of the rooms who says she must see 
my cousin — that she has news for him.” 

‘^Who is she?” 

‘‘ An Indian princess.” 


TULITA AND DAVID. I 77 

They're all that. The whole race is made up 
of the nobility. That Ouleon was one — " 

Don't ! please don't mention him. You always 
get so angry, and — " 

And, ma'am ? " 

I — somebody told me — it seemed — " 

^^Sort of wild and Westerny, eh? Well, I know 
what you mean. The herder told you — he told 
you true. I did send that treacherous snake flying 
over the canon wall, and — " 

Oh, how dreadful ! " 

And — I'd do it again for half the provocation. 
Humph ! Call that a sin ? I call it righteous 
judgment and not half enough of it. The fewer 
such creatures are alive the better for the world at 
large. That's your Injun for you. Like them still?" 

I think they can’t be all bad. This girl looks 
noble, and she is beautiful." 

That rat Ouleon was noble-looking, too ; I 
reckon you’d call him beautiful. I’ve seen him 
on the streets — but you seem flustered." 

I am ; I never knew until just now — until 
this girl told me — that the suspected murderer, 
the man you killed — " 


178 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

Hold on, ma’am ; the snake I hope I killed. 
Proceed.” 

Was that fine-looking seller of bows and arrows 
that I patronized in Los Angeles. So he must 
have been the same who poisoned the spring, 
also ? ” 

Exactly. Nice chap, wasn’t he? That’s the 
kind women make fools of ; like the real mur- 
derers in prisons whom they load with posies. 
Bosh ! life disgusts me.” 

Mrs. Rutger smiled patiently. She had grown 
to have a great regard for this rough-spoken old 
traveller, and she did not mind in the least his con- 
tempt for many things she approved. She returned 
to her subject with a gentle smile. 

This girl says that she must see David, and 
nobody else; that the news she has to give must 
be given to him personally ; and that she must 
have his own personal pledge that the reward 
she asks shall be granted her. What shall I do? 
Is it worth while to disturb him? Yet she ap- 
pears so straightforward and — ” 

Spare me, ma’am. Well, let’s put it another 
way. Neither you nor I believe her news is 


TULITA AND DAVID. 


179 


worth anything. Well, that’s all right. But 
if you were David Eliot, would you lose a single 
chance? There’s a million cranks writing and offer- 
ing suggestions ; but if even one out of the million 
is good, why, it’s worth trying, so it seems to me.” 
You are right. I’ll go to him.” 

In a moment she had been bidden to enter the 
library, but her heart sank as Mr. Eliot looked 
up so eagerly, and she realized that the father’s 
hope of good news would never die. To encourage 
that hope only to see it wither again seemed the 
refinement of cruelty. 

^^Well, Hortense, what is it?” His tone was 
abrupt, and showed the strain he was under. 

There’s a girl — an Indian girl — here, who 
says she has news for you, and she will give it 
to nobody else. Do you wish to see her ? ” 

At once ! ” He rose as he spoke, and it grieved 
her again to think of his sudden confidence being 
in vain, as it most likely would prove. At once, 
Hortense ! Where is she ? Quick ! ” 

Wait here ; I’ll bring her. There are curious 
people about, eager to hear all that we learn, and 
she especially desires privacy.” 


I So 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Quickly, then, cousin, please ! ’’ 

Surely.” 

She hurried away and came back immediately, 
followed by a tall girl whose bearing reminded 
David Eliot forcibly of his lost Patience. There 
was the same erect and graceful carriage, the same 
proud setting of the head, the same directness of 
manner ; yet with these the resemblance ended. 
In place of Patience’s fairness was this olive skin ; 
the eyes, alike in color, were utterly unlike in 
shape ; and this girl’s head was crowned by a 
plait of smooth, dark braids, where, on Patience’s 
own, would have glowed a mass of golden curls. 

The ranchman rose as the stranger entered, 
rendering this daughter of the plains the hom- 
age he would have done her more fortunate sis- 
ters. ^^You wish to see me. Princess ” 

Tulita. She whom your daughter honored by 
the title of ^ friend.’ ” 

Mr. Eliot was puzzled. Will you be seated, 
princess?” he asked, again using the title she 
had herself given. At the same time he observed 
with some admiration the simple fittingness of her 
attire — a blouse and skirt of soft buckskin, fas- 


TULITA AND DAVID. l8l 

tened at the throat with a cluster of scarlet beads. 
The skirt hung nearly to her ankles, and these 
were covered by close leggings of the same soft 
skins, while her shapely feet gave graceful out- 
line to her glove-like moccasins. Over her shoulders 
rested a fine scarlet blanket, and the picture she 
made was a charming one. 

The first words she spoke fixed this picture 
forever in David Eliot’s mind, and colored all his 
future actions. - 

I have come, sir, to bring you news of your 
child.” 

The father’s face whitened. He could not ask 
what kind of news; but Tulita spared him. 

The news is good^ else I would not have pre- 
sumed at all. But, before I give it, you must 
pledge me a reward.” 

In spite of his eagerness a sense of disappoint- 
ment filled the ranchman’s heart. Only for a 
moment, however. Let her be as mercenary as 
she would — what mattered it? Speak quickly, 
and claim it; but tell your news first!” 

“No; the reward must be promised first. I 
crave the life of my foster-brother. He has done 


1 82 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

evil, and even I cannot forgive him ; for I, too, 
love your daughter. But he is not evil in himself ; 
he is wrong here ” — and she tapped her forehead — 
^^what the mission fathers called crazed. He has 
but one thought — his people and their wrongs. 
For his people he has sinned; but he is atoning 
— yes. Will you pardon him and save his life — 
if I give you back your daughter ? ’’ 

‘^Surely — surely. No matter who or what he 
is ! and — if it is in my power. Now, quick — 
where is she, and — and — how ? ’’ 

He sank back in his chair, faint with eager- 
ness and longing, and Tulita sprang to his side 
in fear. 

Courage, white man. Your daughter lives and 
is well. Give me your hand in pledge that 
you will keep your word, and you shall see her 
before you sleep.” 

He tried to extend his hand, as she desired, 
but the reaction after the long strain had been 
too much. David Eliot’s head fell forward on 
his breast, and Tulita’s cry rang through the 
startled house : — 


Oh ! have I killed him ! 


CHAPTER XYII. 


OFF TO THE EESCUE. 

RUTGER and Long Mark reached the 
library at the same moment, to find Tulita 
staggering under the weight of Mr. Eliot’s body 
as she attempted to lift it from the chair and lay 
it on the floor. 

With a rudeness for which he was afterward 
most penitent, Mark pushed the girl aside and 
caught his friend away. 

What’s this ? Another murder, and by one 
of your race, too? Truly, the heavens shall fall 
for this ! ” 

She did not ofler the least resistance to his 
brutality, but permitted him to do as he pleased, 
only watching him earnestly as if quite as anx- 
ious as he. Mrs. Rutger was wholly unnerved, 
and could merely stand idly by, wringing her 
hands and moaning. 


183 


184 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Water!” cried Long Mark, striving to loosen 
the collar about David’s neck, and succeeding 
only in half choking the sufferer. What ails 
this thing? Water, I say!” 

Go you for the water, sir ; I will make him 
comfortable,” said Tulita, casting one glance, half 
scornful, half entreating, toward Mrs. Kutger, ii 
it may be my privilege.” 

I should think it had better be. What did 
you do to him, anyway ? ” 

I promised him his daughter. The water, 
please; I know not where to find it.” As she 
spoke Tulita had deftly removed the stiff linen 
from the unconscious man’s throat and opened his 
clothing so that nothing should impede his return- 
ing respiration. 

As Long Mark ran out of the room, tumbling 
over himself and everything that obstructed his 
passage in his wild haste, he reflected grimly : 

She did not make one single false move. I’d 
think she’d been a hospital nurse all her life, 
she was that sure-handed and wise. Strange that 
such a promise as that could kill, where his awful 
trouble has not. But folks don’t die of joy — 


OFF TO THE RESCUE. 1 85 

not often. They don’t get enough of it in this 
created. Here, you, somebody ! Bring water — 
water ^ I tell you — right away, gallons of it ! 
Your master — what are you all staring for ? Why 
don’t you bring it ? ” 

^^It’s already been brought — poor senor ! ” said 
old Gaspar, coming up and laying his hand upon 
Long Mark’s shoulder. Go back to the library. 
The senor is coming-to all right. You’ll be the 
first one he asks for. Come.” 

Mark faced about and started on a run down 
the corridor, but paused as the echo of a laugh 
greeted him. At this he wheeled about, glaring 
and indignant. 

Who’s laughing ? Who dares at such a time 
as this ? Or is it — what ! Anita, you ? I thought 
you loved — alas, I’m growing a fool under all 
this trouble. I did not know I loved her so, 
even as if she were my own flesh and blood 
— almost my own little daughter. Patience. I’m 
a changed man, a changed man ! ” 

Yet if he were, there were few at Santa Paula 
who did not love him nor ascribe to the right 
cause his anxiety, his excitable actions. Anita, the 


i86 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


last to be reproved, came forward, still smiling 
and showing her white teeth, while the light in 
her eyes was something good to see. 

^^Poor Sehor Mark! No wonder that you know 
not what you are doing 1 And why should one 
not laugh at good news ? Has not the little 
Indian girl told the master of our sehorita? She 
is alive — she is well! En verdad, I myself must 
laugh so much now, that I shall never get my 
tasks done. Yes; but go, go! — they are calling 
for you, Senor Mark ! ” 

^^But how do you know? What you are telling 
me? Who said — 

^^No matter. Ten thousand pardons, but why 
will you tarry? Do you not hear! It is the 
master’s voice — yes. No matter now. Only you 
are wise, sehor ; you are always full of sayings 
and proverbs. One proverb you have never heard 
— yes? ^Joy is swifter than lightning.’ No mat- 
ter how — we know, we know ! ” And, forgetful 
of everything else but the tidings she had heard, 
pretty Anita went skipping down the corridor 
plump into old Gaspar’s arms, who, though he 
was given to reproving the silly maids ” for 


every bit of levity, had now nothing but ap- 
proval. 

If it be only true, in verity ! ” he said. 

^^But why should it not be true, old croaker — 
no ? Is not the same sky over the evil and the 
good? I, Anita, will believe that all is well, for 
I loved her.” 

Loved I her not, bobilla ? ” (little fool). But 
why waste I my breath with a woman? If there 
is news, I shall be needed — /, Gaspar!” and, 
strutting as he had not once been seen to do 
since the trouble came to Santa Paula, he joined 
the fast increasing throng of friends and servants 
about the library entrance. 

^^No, joy doesn’t kill — not often,” repeated Long 
Mark, as he stood gazing with beaming eyes upon 
the speedy restoration of his friend David ; and 
half jealous that this restoration should have been 
so completely without his aid ; for, when he had 
returned to the library, there was Mr. Eliot, still 
upon the floor, indeed, but in a sitting posture, 
with his head against Tulita’s shoulder and his 
eager eyes smiling up into her face. For she, 
with sure intuition, was repeating again and again 


1 88 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

the words that he could not hear often enough — 
the words which had caused his seizure, yet were 
its most certain cure : — 

Your daughter Patience is well, and you shall 
see her to-night ! ” 

Long Mark approached. Can’t I help you up, 
old chap ? What you doing there on the floor, 
with more lounges around here than you know 
what to do with? Courage! make a try.” 

H’m, Mark, you’re a doctor. You’d better 
come along. Are the horses saddled ? ” 

Which ones? There are always horses saddled 
here.” 

Mr. Eliot extended his hands and was assisted 
to his feet. Each instant his strength came back 
more rapidly, but he was still shaky and faint. 

Mrs. Rutger interposed: ^^You must not ride, 
anywhere. Cousin David, without some food. You 
have eaten nothing today. It’s more that than 
anything else which made you ill.’' 

‘‘‘ Haven’t I ? I didn’t know it. Well, of course. 
Quickly, though, and as I ride. The horses — 
quick ! ” 

Gaspar placed himself in front of his master. 


Shall we take Blanco^ senor? And which will 
you ride? My own bay is fresh, and fast almost 
as Negro was.” 

Tulita made a protesting motion; and, as she 
was now the chief object of David Eliot’s atten- 
tion, he observed this instantly and motioned for 
silence. 

If you please, sir, it is best to send all these 
people away, except the two or three who are 
most in your interest.” 

Nobody moved. Were not all there equally in 
the master’s interest? 

Again Tulita spoke, this time with a smile of 
amusement upon her lips : That is well. All, 
then, but this lady, this Long Mark, and this 
Gaspar, are unnecessary.” 

The group in the room dispersed, though re- 
luctantly. Not until the master had raised his 
hand again, and imperatively, did the last person, 
save the three privileged ones, disappear. 

That’s the way with you, David, old boy. 
Always did spoil your employees ; and now these 
misguided creatures think they’ve just as good a 
right to any good news going about Patience as 


1 90 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

you have. If you’d only trained ’em not to love 
her — ” 

David smiled, and Mark was satisfied. He 
turned to the princess” with an impatient ges- 
ture. ^^Now, out with the whole yarn. Don’t 
keep us on tenter-hooks any longer. Where’s our 
Patty, and what do you know ’bout her?” 

I left her but two . hours ago. She did not 
see me, but knew that I was near her. I will 
take her father to her at once, if he is able® to 
sit in his saddle. It is a spot where one must 
ride. There should be, also, a horse for her to 
ride back upon. Her own white one, if that may 
be. That is all. Besides us, nobody else must go.” 

^^But what guarantee have we that you aren’t 
up to some more Injun crookedness ? David to go 
it alone, along with an Injun — male or female 
— after what we’ve experienced with the vermin? 
Well, I guess not! Not while Long Mark Corlear 
is in California. No, siree ! Not a step do you 
stir with this Indian girl, Davy boy, unless 
I’m alongside. So, Miss Princess, just mark that 
down.” 

Mrs. Rutger nodded silent approval of this 


OFF TO THE RESCUE, 


I9I 

decision. Mr. Eliot himself was impressed by it^ 
though he walked about impatiently and feebly, 
awaiting the arrival of the word that the horses 
were ready. Tulita alone was not disturbed. Her 
resolute face lost none of its determination, nor 
did her eyes sink. 

^^It is well, maybe, and it is natural, enemies of 
my people, that you should mistrust an Indian 
girl. But does one betray the hand that has 
sawed her life? What is dearer than life to the 
proud heart whether it beats under a white or a 
red skin ? Honor. Well, know then, that it was 
your Patience, the white-faced princess, whom you 
love, who saved Tulita’s honor. But for her I 
might now be in a prison — for a theft I never 
committed. She saved me my freedom, dearer to 
the daughter of the plains even than to you. 
Do you remember, sir, on that Noche Buena, by 
the jeweller’s window, the poor puma tamer who 
sought to earn a fiesta for her people and was 
thrown down? Of course” — her lip curled scorn- 
fully — ^^when the diamond was lost it was the 
poor Indian girl who had stolen it ! Only sAe, 
the beautiful one, she of the golden heart, was 


ig2 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

merciful. She saved me. Shall I, can I, then, 
betray her?? 

Mr. Eliot was convinced. With a smile he ex- 
tended his hands toward Tulita, who took them 
modestly, yet flushing with pride. 

My dear girl, is it so ? How could I fail to 
recognize you ? Of course I trust you. It shall 
all be as you say. We two will go quite alone, 
taking Blanco for — for — my darling.” His emo- 
tion choked him, but he forced it aside. ^^For 
yourself there must be, also, a good mount, and, 
Mark, just tell Gaspar to put a side-saddle on his 
bay for the princess. As for you, bring all the 
household with you and meet us on — at any 
point Tulita names, when I return. I leave it to 
you to make my Patience’s home-coming as joy- 
ous as it should be.” 

A moment later he was in the saddle, his face 
radiant as a boy’s, Blanco’s bridle-rein in his 
grasp, and only waiting for the princess” to be 
mounted and off. 

^^Meet us on the mesa by the olive grove, good 
sir,” said the girl to Mark. ^^We will be there 
when the moon is two hours from setting. But 


OFF To THE RESCUE. 


193 

I will run instead of ride, Senor Eliot. It will 
be quite as swift.’’ 

Impossible ! Though I have heard marvellous 
tales of Indian speed. It isn’t that. She who is 
such a messenger of good to me must ride in 
state. So I have left you Gaspar’s own bay as 
the best we could offer you. Let him lift you up, 
I must be off.” 

“Very well, as you wish. Only, the saddle — 
I cannot use that. The bridle will do, and the 
blanket if you think best. That is for the horse 
himself. Otherwise — ” She made a gesture of 
blowing thistle-down from the tips of her brown 
fingers. 

Gaspar was in distress. He was proud to have 
had his horse selected as the mount of honor on 
this momentous occasion, and yet his pride was 
tempered by a certain distrust of anything Indian 
in any case, and that this one should elect to ride 
without a saddle seemed to intimate but one thing 
— if she didn’t murder his master, she would cer- 
tainly run away with his horse. 

Off with the saddle, boy ! Why do you wait ? ” 

Gaspar was forced to obey, but almost before 


194 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

he had done so the Indian girl had leaped to the 
bay’s back, and waving her hand with a glad, 
triumphant gesture toward the distant mountains, 
dashed forward at a speed which even the 
thoroughbred she rode had never attained before. 

It was none too great a speed for David Eliot. 
He struck spurs into his own fine mount, and like 
a flash the three horses passed out of sight 
beyond the walnut grove. 

^^Well, it’s sink or swim now! I wish — I 
— wish — Well, I promised I wouldn’t. Else 
Ichy boy and I’d give ’em a taste of Araby the 
blest, for a race. However, let’s prepare. I 
don’t expect really — yet I do, too — ever again 
to see hide nor hair of those three horses, nor 
what’s on their backs. Yet, I’m going along just 
as if I knew we’d have them and all creation 
coming back to supper. Come on, all you girls 
and boys. Come on, Mrs. Rutger. Let’s show 
them the kind of a feast we can get up in Cali- 
forny for a fatted calf exhibit. Fly around, now, 
you black-eyed Susans and Anitas, and all the 
rest. Your mistress is coming home! Three cheers 
for Tulita ! And out with Old Glory ! Run her up, 
boys, run up the American flag ! Hooray ! ” 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


IN THE GREAT CAVERN. 


HEN Patience Eliot found herself alone in 



the darkness and silence she knew that 
she had been betrayed, and her knowledge of the 
mountains and their lore convinced her that her 
prison was one of the caves said to be numerous 
in that canon. 

For a long while she sat quiet, benumbed by 
terror and apprehensive of still more misery to 
come. Starvation, murder, torture — in all the 
horrible forms she had ever heard suggested by 
the stories told about the camp-fires of the ranch- 
men — rose in her mind to sap her strength and 
courage. 

Then a little saying she had heard somebody 
use, under far less awful circumstances, came to 
her memory, ^ While there’s life there’s hope.’ 
Well, I’m certainly alive. I mean to just keep 


195 


196 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

saying that over and over, ten — twenty times. 
Maybe by that time I’ll think of something 
else.” 

She did : ^ He will give His angels charge 
concerning thee ! ’ ” And the comfort which 
those words brought her was deeper and re- 
mained longer than the first. Maybe, Ouleon 
will come back soon. If he does I’ll tell him 
about Tulita, and that I am a friend to all Ind- 
ians. I don’t see why he should wish to harm 
me. Unless he wanted to steal Blanco.” 

However, this supposition was quickly rejected. 

That couldn’t be. He’d know, if he knew 
anything, that everybody at this end of Cali- 
fornia knows Blanco. He’s one of the horses 
always being written about in the papers — even 
dn ’Frisco they know him. Blanco couldn’t be 
made ofi with and not discovered. That’s- be- 
cause he’s so white and beautiful and splendid. 
The grand fellow ! If I only knew that he was 
safe ! How is he ever to get out of the canon ? 
That’s another reason why he wouldn’t be stolen, 
because he couldn’t be.” 

For a long time Patience sat still, waiting and 


IN THE GEE AT CAVERN. 1 97 

listening for the return of her captor, but when an 
hour or more had passed and he came not, she 
grew overcome with drowsiness and fell asleep. 

She was wakened at last by the touch of a cold 
nose upon her hand, and by the flutter of 
wings about her head. She opened her eyes with 
a start, only to find herself in the same impene- 
trable gloom, and feeling stiff and numb from the 
long sitting upon the stone floor of the cavern. 

Oh, what is it ? Where is it ? Ouleon — 
Ouleon I '' 

Her terrified scream came back to her in muf- 
fled echoes, as from immeasurable depths, and she 
knew from visits made to other exhibition” caves 
that this one must be a large one, extending per- 
haps for miles beneath the earth. 

After an instant she reflected: ^^Well, I’m 
hungry, and I’ll not sit still and die in one place. 
There’s something besides myself alive in here, 
and I’ll try to find out what. I’m not much 
afraid of animals, which is one good thing. But 
what if this should be the home of wild beasts ? 
Pshaw ! I’ll not think of such a possibility ! I’ll 
think of everything hopeful. Ouleon will come 


igS A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

back. They say he loves money passionately. 
I’ve heard him called the ^ miser Indian,’ and 
maybe he’s found me alone in the canon and 
thought he’d a fine chance to make some money. 
Of course, that’s it ! Why didn’t I think of that 
before ? He’ll go straight to dad and tell him 
I’m imprisoned somewhere, and demand a big pile 
of gold for me, and dad’ll give it to him instante ! 
That’s exactly how it is. I see it as plain as day- 
light — as daylight used to be ! I wonder if it is 
daylight still outside ? I wonder how long I 
slept? I wonder — ” 

Again Patience felt a cold touch upon her 
hand, and snatched it away in fear. Then, 
ashamed of this, cautiously extended it again. 

What are you, you living thing ? Are you 
all alone here in the earth as I am?” 

The creature, whatever it was, came closer to 
her as she spoke, and seemed more like . some 
tame thing than a wild beast. It even rubbed 
itself against her, as if trying to be friendly, and 
this gave Patience a keen relief. 

^^It isn’t ferocious, at any rate. Oh, if I could 
only see ! ” 


IN THE GEE AT CAVERN. 1 99 

Moving forward carefully, testing each inch of 
advance by the pressure of her foot, the prisoner 
came all at once upon a projection in the wall 
which reached about as high as her waist. Feel- 
ing along this ledge with her hands, she touched 
a little pile of sharp stones lying beside some dry 
feathery stuff, suggesting pampas plumes. 

Flint and torches ! ” she cried aloud, and in 
another instant had struck two of the stones 
deftly together, as her Indian friends had taught 
her. There followed a spark of fire, and, de- 
lighted by even a particle of light. Patience again 
struck the flints, holding a bit of the grass in 
readiness to ignite. 

The result was even more than she anticipated. 
The plume 'she had selected was so large that its 
burning illumined the whole surrounding dark- 
ness, and showed her better than anything else 
a little pile of tule reeds, soaked in fat, and lying 
beside a rude clay lamp. She had seen just such 
as these in many an Indian cabin, and she knew 
that Ouleon had prepared them for his own use 
in this cavern. 

That proves he’s in the habit of coming here. 


200 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


and he will certainly come back. But if he’s here 
enough to need such a lot of rushes as this^ he 
must be for a good deal of the time. I’ve heard 
that the Indians live in the caves, though nobody 
seemed to know just where. And I’m going to 
light the lamp and explore. I’ll talk aloud, too, 
all the time, and then I shall not feel so afraid. 
I always did hate td be alone.” 

She fixed the rushlight in the lamp and lighted 
it, and while the flame thus produced did not 
give half the radiance of the blazing grass plume, 
it was steady, and by its aid she gradually ex- 
amined her prison-house. 

Yet when the light fell upon the animal which 
had touched her, her heart sank, the creature 
looked so formidable. Still, much of this timidity 
passed when she had scrutinized it as well as she 
could, for it had retreated to a corner behind the 
ledge of rock, as if the light were painful to it or 
else that it was disappointed in herself. 

^^Why, it’s a fox! — a great white fox! — as 
white, almost, as Blanco. My! what a coat! 
and the tail — it’s a beauty! It must be Ouleon’s 
pet ; that’s why it’s tame. Come here, you 


IN THE GEE AT CAVERN. 


201 


pretty fellow. You mustn’t hurt me, and I cer- 
tainly shall not hurt you.” 

She set her lamp down on the floor of the cav- 
ern and extended her hand to stroke the animal. 
It responded reluctantly, but it’s timidity lessened 
as it saw that this human being, though different 
from the one it knew, was equally kind. 

When she had gained its confidence so that it 
would follow her. Patience laughed aloud. Oh, 
this is just like a story-book ! I’m a sort of Rob- 
inson Crusoe, and I ought to find all kinds of 
things ready to my hand in this wonderful cave. 
Come on, you beautiful white animal; let’s explore 
everything. » 

She moved forward eagerly, yet cautiously ex- 
amining her path, for she feared a pitfall ; but the 
floor was worn smooth by use, and something about 
it suggested that it had been inhabited for years. 

If I could only find the entrance ! There 
must be some way out. And I’m so hungry and 
thirsty ! Well, I’ll do what I can, and when 
I’m moving I’m not so lonely. Besides, this 
pretty beast is almost — folks ! Heigh-ho ! Jieres 
richness ! ” 


202 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Richness, indeed, to one in her pitiful plight ; 
for in a niche in the wall, though higher than 
her head, she saw a pile of the jerked beef which 
the Indians prepare to withstand the changes of 
time. Beside this was also a basket of corn, 
ground fit for samp, a few potatoes, a tin box 
partially filled with hardtack similar to that issued 
on the reservations. 

^^Well, I sha’n’t starve, that’s certain; and I’m 
not in the dark; Now, if I could only find water ! 
Perhaps I can. Ouleon couldn’t cook that corn 
without it, and I don’t believe he’d eat it raw ; 
else why should there be a kettle or pail over 
there ? I’m sure it’s Ouleon’s home, where he 
lives every day, and that he’ll soon come back. 
I’ll just help myself to one of those crackers, and 
then I’ll hunt the water. I’ve found so much, 
the story won’t be half perfect if I don’t find that, 
too.” 

She had much ado to reach the food, it was so 
high above her head ; and when she caught a 
glimpse of the hungry, gleaming eyes of the white 
fox looking up at her from the ground, she under- 
stood why it had been so placed. But she was 


IN THE GREAT CAVERN 


203 


agile and ingenious, and slie presently brought 
enough of the loose stones which lay around the 
wall to make a sort of stepping-block. Mounted 
on this she could reach the store of food ; and, 
frightened by the fox’s hunger, she threw him 
down a bit of the dried beef and proceeded on 
her tour of exploration. 

It’s a big place. It’s ever so much higher in 
some parts than any room in our house, and the 
walls are just lovely. The further in I go the 
whiter and more curious they are ; the damper, 
too, it is. These beautiful things growing upward 
out of the floor are stalagmites, and those up 
yonder are stalactites — I remember reading all 
about them after dad and I’d been to see a cave 
near ’Frisco. Dear dad ! if he were only here ! 
He’d tell me more in a minute than I’d learn in 
a week studying all by myself. Well, it’s wet 
here, surely; and, to make it all right, I must 
find that spring. Oh, here comes Sir Fox. After 
more meat? Well, you’ll have to wait and ask 
your master for that.” 

Presently, as she stooped to admire an espe- 
cially lovely formation of the limestone, she saw 


204 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST 


what looked like a path, and, after a further ex- 
amination, the actual imprint of a moccasined 
foot. 

That’s good; it must lead somewhere — I hope, 
if not to the outer air, at least to water.” 

The last desire was realized. Beyond the path, 
where it terminated in a little grotto, was a pool 
of water as cold - and clear as that of the Fairy 
Spring itself. The pool was fed by invisible 
springs, and the surplus flowed gently northward 
in a tiny channel with a continuous rippling sound 
that it w^as company to hear. 

Thank the dear God for that. I’ll take a 
drink of it first, then go back and bring the little 
kettle. Probably there is brushwood somewhere in 
the cave for a fire. Ouleon is a tidy fellow in his 
housekeeping, and I’ll praise him for it when I see 
him. He’s evidently fixed everything here for a 
long stay — through the rainy season, I suppose. 
I wonder when he will come back ! ” 

Ouleon wa^ tidy, and thrifty as well. His life 
at the mission, where he had been one of the 
house servants, had given him ideas of comfort 
above that of his own tribe, and this was one 


IN THE GREAT CAVERN. 


205 


reason why, now that he had left the mission, he 
passed his days in solitude. He visited his own 
settlement when he wished, but of his comings 
and goings nobody there took great heed. To this 
thriftiness and forethought against a day of need, 
Patience Eliot would always owe her life. 

^^\Yell, if here isn’t a bed! — or what will an- 
swer for one ! ” she exclaimed, when after several 
hours more had passed and the supper she had 
fixed against her captor’s return had waited long, 
she set out in another direction on a second tour 
of discovery. 

But it was not exactly a bed. It was a store 
of Navajo blankets, the sight of which would have 
made old Rosa’s eyes grow big with envy. They 
had never been used, and had evidently been put 
where they were for safe keeping. However, 
Patience had no scruples against appropriating 
them to her own use, and returning to the larger 
part of the cavern she piled them up high and 
threw herself down upon them. 

She did not mean to sleep just yet, but she 
did; and so soundly that many hours passed be- 
fore she awoke to find the white fox lying at her 


206 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


feet. She was dazed at her surroundings, so dif- 
ferent from her luxuriously appointed room at 
home, and as the full significance of her situation 
forced itself upon her mind she buried her face 
in the blankets again and sobbed aloud. 

Dad ! Oh, my precious dad ! Can’t you feel 
me calling you, even if you can’t hear ? I’m alone 
— forsaken — lost ! ” 

An answer came. An answer so different from 
the loving response she craved that it seemed to 
curdle the blood upon the hearer’s heart. 

A cry, harsh, discordant, horrible, rose and filled 
the silence of the great cavern. Echoed again 
and again through its unknown depths and pas- 
sages, till it seemed to come from above, below, 
and all about her ; and fleeing, she knew and cared 
not whither. Patience ran screaming into the dark- 
ness beyond. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


THE VISION OF TULITA. 

A^rHEN Tulita left her home by the arroyo on 
that night when Ramon so relaxed his 
guard, she passed swiftly from the valley to the 
mountains beyond, and halfway up the ascent 
lifted her face as if her eyes would drink in 
all the grand beauty of that vast solitude, -jeven as 
her cramped lungs had already filled themselves 
with the pure air, so different from that she had 
endured within the hut. 

High above her, perched on a rocky point, stood 
a majestic figure bathed in the moonlight, which, 
in that rarefied atmosphere, seemed to clothe it 
with a sort of halo. 

Tulita caught her breath. ^^It is the spirit of 
the great chief, my father. He has come back 
from his unseen abode to counsel me.” 

The superstitions of her race and those of her 


207 


2o8 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WES1, 


later mission-training mingled to fill her soul with 
a profound awe, and, prostrating herself at the 
foot of the crag, she cried aloud, Here am I, 
prince of thy people ; be it unto me as thou wilt ! ’’ 
For a moment there was silence, and then old 
Ramon, who was himself half-fanatic and had 
strange seasons of communion” with equally 
strange and unseen powers, sent down an answer- 
ing cry : What doest thou here, Tulita ? Thou 
dost well to tremble before me. When gave I thee 
permission to leave the safety of thy home ? ” 

At this assumption on the part of her old at- 
tendant, Tulita's spirit returned. She loved him 
sincerely, but she fully felt herself a ‘^princess,” 
and chafed at any tone of authority, even from 
one so faithful as Ramon. 

Oh, is it so ? Is it only thee, my uncle ? 
Well, then, know that the day has yet to dawn 
on which Tulita de la Vega will ask leave of any 
man to do what she wills ! ” 

Habit is a great controller of men s moods. 
Ramon, in his ordinary life, was almost abjectly 
humble before this maiden, to whom he looked 
for the restoration of his decayed race. Had not 


THE VISION OF TULITA. 209 

the stars foretold it? Was he not at that mo- 
ment consulting them, and did they not promise 
that this restoration should be speedy? 

^^In verity, Daughter of the Mighty, thou say- 
est. Even now I read thy fate in the vault above. 
But I had not finished the reading. And if I re- 
proved thee for that thou hast done, it was because 
no chance must he run that will endanger thy life. 
Thou art not for thyself, Tulita de la Vega, but 
for others. The wound thou suffered has not yet 
healed sufficiently for thee to cast aside all pru- 
dence. Seven times more should the sun have run 
his course before — ” 

By seven sun-courses I should have been dead, 
surely. Tulita can endure much, but not imprison- 
ment. Besides, hast thou seen my foster-brother 
Ouleon, the Eagle Feather, since I have been 
within my home ? ” 

No ; nor have I wished to,’’ answered the 
old man, gloomily. He had descended and she 
ascended till now they stood side by side midway 
the crag, able to gaze upon one another’s faces 
and read in each other’s eyes the things which 
tte lips did not speak. 


210 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Ouleon is of my blood, Ramon the Wise. He, 
too, is the son of a great chief.'’ 

In verity ; but the son of a chief who betrayed 
his people. So will Ouleon do.” 

‘^So shall Ouleon not do!” retorted Tulita, 
hotly. ^^He shall not be a traitor.” 

What I have said I have said.” 

What thou hast said I will unsay. Dost 
thou know where my brother is, old Ramon the 
Croaker?” 

^^No; and if I did I would not tell thee. He 
is unworthy thy anxiety. He! — ^Coyote Jack,' 
the scoff and plaything of the palefaces ? Ugh ! 
Ps-t-tt ! ” 

Tulita's face flushed. There was something 
degrading, to her mind, in the fact that Ouleon 
was defrauded of his rightful name by their white 
neighbors, but she did not share the old warrior's 
contempt for her brother's calling. 

There is no need for anger, Ramon the Wise. 
Nor is there any hope of future battles which 
shall set our people back in the place where they 
should be. No ; I, too, am ambitious, but not as 
thou. I, too, believe that I will yet live to see 


THE VISION OF TULITA. 


21 I 


these mountains thronged by the descendants of 
our forefathers. I, too, hope to see my Ouleon de- 
part on his mission to the great village where the 
White Father of both his white and his red-faced 
children lives. But when he returns, will it be to 
sound the war-cry and perish — a handful against 
a multitude ? No, indeed, no ! It will be with the 
proofs in his hand that all this country is once 
more our own. In peace will the Shoshones and 
the Apaches, the Navajoes, the Piutes — all, all — 
wherever they are, whoever they may be — that 
bear within their veins one drop of native blood 
— all shall gather in one vast concourse upon 
these mountains which were once and shall again 
be ours. All our tribal quarrels ended, we will 
dwell in peace — a mighty and united nation. All 
the white men’s arts which will tend to our glory 
we will copy. All that are silly and useless, re- 
ject. We will not give up the traditions of our 
ancients in whatever they were wise, but there is 
also wisdom among the white men. Else,, how 
come their broad fields teeming with food, their 
fruits so much finer than the wild fruits, their 
wealth so much greater than our wealth? We 


212 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


want none of their prison-like houses, their ugly 
clothing, their hurtful ^ fire-waters ’ and their bru- 
tality. But all that is good we do want — and 
will have. Yes^ thou wilt be among the royal 
braves who have already passed into the presence 
of the Great Spirit, whom those pale brothers of 
ours call God, but I shall see it — I shall see it ! 
Have not the stars so foretold, Ramon the Wise ? ” 

The girl had become so wrought up by her own 
eloquence and by the beatific pictures her imagina- 
tion painted that her countenance now glowed as 
the face of one inspired. 

Ramon, more obstinate and less wise, could not 
relinquish his own desires that the future glory 
of his tribe should be accomplished through the 
bloody extermination of the whites, but he was 
forced to acknowledge a certain power in Tulita’s 
words which impressed if it did not convince him. 
After a moment he answered quietly : — 

Time will prove, my daughter. Meanwhile, 
thou shalt go back to thy home. There is a chill 
in the air, and thou hast been a caged bird for 
long. I will remain. I must look for a fresh 
supply of pumas. Those who went with us on. 


THE VISION OE TtJLlTA, 213 

that Noche Buena suffered even worse than thou. 
A curse was on them, I think, and they are dead. 
I did not tell thee before, until I could bring thee 
others. Go back, and they shall come. See ! I 
have brought the soft ropes, the traps, the drugged 
food.” 

For answer Tulita caught up the familiar re- 
ceptacle, and with a gesture of infinite disgust 
threw them from her. 

So ends that life, old Eamon ! I have done 
with all such tasks. I will be -seen no more upon 
the street of the city for such a purpose. No; I 
have other plans for my people — far better plans, 
far greater good than the paltry calling I have 
hitherto followed can ever bring them.” 

Tulita, daughter of my soul, what has come to 
thee ? Thou wert never like this before. Is thy 
head gone strange with all this silence in the 
cabin ? ” 

What has come to me ? A knowledge of 
better things.” 

What better ? How ? Thou hast been shut 
up alone. Whom sawest thou to teach thee — 
strangeness ?” 


214 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

word changed me, Ramon. One little word. 
It was spoken by the lips of a daughter of our 
enemies.” 

What word ? By whom ? ” 

By that other ^ princess/ as her own people 
call her. She whose head is covered with a fleece 
of gold, whose skin is fair as the lilies in the 
pool, whose voice is like the tinkle of the brook 
yonder among the stones, and whose laughter like 
that waterfall.” 

H-hm. The daughter of the rich man, who 
suffered thee to go away as if thou had been 
guilty and he generous. Pouf ! What are such 
to thee — these usurpers where we have ruled for- 
ever ? But the word — what was the word ? ” 
Ramon bent forward eagerly, scanning Tulita’s 
beautiful face. 

The word was ^friend’;” and the face into 
which he gazed became transfigured. 

^‘Friend ! Friend ! Pouf ! I tell thee. Daughter 
of the Plain, there is no friendship between thee 
and her. It is a lie.” 

It is the truth. ^Friend' Hear it — learn it 
— believe it. Her lips could not lie, ever — nor 


THE VISION OF TULITA. 


215 


mine. We two girls, speaking that one word, have 
solved the problem of two nations. Thou wilt see. 
It has been revealed to me, Ramon; even as thy 
visions have shown thee other truths. Our hands, 
clasped above the hatred of two peoples, shall hide 
it forever. Oh, my Ramon ! I see it — I see it ! 
The comfort — the beauty — the peace that shall 
be over all this, through us, two princesses of one 
land, two handmaidens of one Great Spirit ! ” 

She swept her hands about her with a gesture 
that included all that great stretch of land, and, 
overcome by her own emotion, sank down upon 
her knees with her face hidden in her blanket. 


CHAPTER XX. 


ouleon’s story to tulita. 

DAMON waited until Tulita arose from her 
^ ^ knees ; then he asked : Art thou yet ready 
to return to thy home by the arroyo, Daughter of 
the Plain ? Whatever seems good to thee, old 
Ramon will do. There are other ways of earning 
money than by toying with savage beasts. Thou 
sayest truly, and dwell thou in peace. I, a war- 
rior, will find food for the women and children. 
The youths of the village shall arise and help me. 
Too long they tarry in idleness, while thou — 
Peace, Ramon the Wise. In some things thou 
mistakest. The youths will not arise and labor 
for women till they have been taught how. I — 
Tulita — will teach them. But not yet; let them 
idle still a few days — what matters it ? In the 
end they will stand up — mm. So I have seen 
in the visions of the silent days and nights, while 


216 


OULEON^S STORY TO TULITA. 


2iy 


this was healing — for it is healed. I am no 
longer a prisoner to pain.” The girl held up her 
arm that had been broken, and waved it gently to 
and fro. 

^^Yes; but healed bones are not always strong 
bones. Seven more suns — ” 

Healed bones must gather strength where they 
will. Is it fit that I, Tulita, daughter of a king, 
should be as hard to cure of evils as poorer clay? 
No matter ; it is well enough. I am not again 
going to the home by the arroyo till I bring my 
brother with me. Too long I have suffered him 
to toss the burden upon my shoulders ; too long 
he has been heaping up the money that should 
feed our households. He must come now and 
show himseff a prince, or — But he must. There 
is no other way.” 

Coyote Jack — a prince! Take care. He is 
a fool. His head is in the clouds, his feet in the 
mud. By and by he will stumble and fall flat. 
Then who will lift him up? Place not thy trust 
upon the renegade son of a renegade chief, Tulita, 
my princess.” 

As for thee, Ramon, though I love thee above 


2I8 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


all who dwell with me, if thou speakest again one 
word against my Ouleon I will ask thy counsel no 
more, forever. I have said it; and what Tulita 
says, she does.” 

Ramon shrugged his shoulders slightly. Other- 
wise he gave no sign that he had heard and un- 
derstood her. 

Where wilt thou look for Ouleon, my daughter?” 

Where, but in the secret homes of his people ?” 

They are many, and the storms have been 
fierce ; the roads to some will be impassable. Thou 
wilt, take care, Tulita?” 

Yes ; fear thou nothing for me. I will re- 
member. I will take care, since through me, vre 
both agree, shall come the blessing of the red 
man ! ” answered the maiden, smiling fondly into 
the venerable face above her. 

^^The blessing of the red man; thou art, in- 
deed, to be that. Princess de la Vega. What mat- 
ters it if we two, in our visions, reach the same 
end, though it may be by different trails? The 
blessing — take mine ; and if good betide thee, or 
ill, thou wilt find old Ramon ready and waiting 
either to rejoice or weep with thee.” 


OULEON^S STORY TO TULITA. 2 IQ 

The girl knelt down, and the old chief mut- 
tered some words of his native tongue above her 
downcast eyes, then raised her to her feet. 

Farewell, Kamon ! Thou remainest the last, 
the best, of all the warriors. I go for Ouleon. 
He shall give thee the money he has hoarded, 
and thou shalt buy all things needful for the vil- 
lage. He has enough for that, also to go bravely 
to the Great White Father in the far-away coun- 
cil. Have faith; I will bring Ouleon and money. 
Farewell.” 

They parted without further speech. Kamon 
took the way into the valley, Tulita sped upward 
and over the mountain ; but neither turned in 
his tracks to gaze after the other, though both 
felt in some indefinable way that this parting 
was more than ordinary. Tulita, indeed, put some 
of her thought into words, though only the night- 
birds circling about her heard them ; but th|y 
relieved her spirit of a tension too strong, and 
restored her faith in herself and in her future. 

^^As I have left the village by the arroyo and 
the home where I have dwelt in ignorance till 
the visions came, so have I put all the old life 


2 20 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


away. I folded it in the blankets and buried it 
in the ashes upon the hearth. The old Tulita is 
dead ; the new Tulita lives to grow noble and 
great in blessing — worthy of her who called La 
Yega friend ! ” 

There was magic in the little word. The girl’s 
sadness all fell from her ; her step became again 
buoyant^ and her rich voice broke into the wild, 
sweet strains of one of her tribal hymns. Still 
singing, she came after a while to a cavern in 
the canon, down which she had descended, and 
paused before its low opening to give a shrill, 
peculiar cry. 

There was no answer; but Tulita had resolved 
to begin with this, the first of a series of cave- 
dwellings which honeycombed that gulch, and if 
she did not find Ouleon there, to try the next 
and the next till the last. Even all these failing, 
she would not be discouraged ; there were other 
canons among the mountains, and almost innu- 
merable other secret dwellings. 

^^They are the last homes the palefaces have 
left to us undisturbed, and among them some- 
where is that one which shall some day be dis- 


OU LEONAS STORY TO TULITA. 


221 


covered, that the old, old mission-fathers knew, 
where the yellow gold lies deeper and richer than 
anywhere else in all the land. Where ? I won- 
der ; and when will it be found ? If it might be 
by me, and soon, how swiftly would I make this 
wilderness a garden such as no white man ever 
owned ! In it — But I must not dream again ; 
dreams are for the time of illness, action for 
health. Ouleon ! my brother ! 

This time she sent her voice down the hollow 
opening in the canon wall with a cry like the 
eagle’s itself, and this time an answering cry 
greeted her. 

So soon ? That is well. I had not hoped so 
much. Only the cry was faint ; and lest I be 
mistaken, and make the long journey inward upon 
a fruitless quest, ^ Halloo ! ’ again. Ouleon, art 
thou within?” 

No person who had not previously known it 
would ever have supposed the small aperture down 
which Tulita proposed to pass was the entrance 
to anything save the burrow of some beast; and 
the fresh debris piled about it showed that it had 
been undisturbed since the rains began. These 


222 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST 


had now ceased for a time, but it was too early 
to consider them over for the year, and Tulita 
had remembered this in her decision to set out 
that night to find her foster-brother. 

Tu-li-ta ! ” 

It is Ouleon ! He knows my voice,” cried the 
girl, and approaching the well hidden opening she 
began working her way swiftly through the long, 
narrow passage by pushing her hand before her 
and clutching at the roughnesses of the wall. 
Very speedily she disappeared from the outer world, 
as one of the native serpents might have retired 
into its hole and with something of its same star- 
tling rapidity. 

But when she had thus proceeded to twice her 
body’s length the passage suddenly enlarged into 
a spacious chamber, from which other passages 
led into other rooms, all showing traces of long 
occupancy, and some showing also the beautiful 
limestone formations which had so enraptured the 
eyes of Patience Eliot in her own prison-house. 

Ouleon, my brother ! ” 

Here, Tulita, my sister.” 

Her eyes quickly grew accustomed to the dark- 


OULEON^S STORY TO TULITA. 223 

ness, which was tempered slightly by the few rays 
of light that penetrated the narrow passage. She 
was able at once to find her brother, but she 
became chill with fear as she perceived that he 
did not offer to rise and greet her, nor even to 
at all change his recumbent position. 

Ouleon, why art thou like this ? Is it illness, 
or an accident ? ” 

^^It is the work of the white man, Tulita. For 
more days than I remember have I been here.’' 

Alone?” 

^^Why not alone?” 

Thou speakest of a white man. Who ? When ? 
Where?” 

And thou askest as many questions as the 
silly old women in the village. Listen ! But, first, 
of thyself. Was thy hurt a bad one, Tulita?” 

^^No matter. It is past.” 

It made me wild for revenge. I tried to avenge 
thee that very night. Upon those, also, who had 
caused thee thy trouble.” 

Ouleon ! Quick ! What dost thou mean ? ” 

Art . thou pleased, Tulita ? I am glad. Then 
I know that I was right. I feared — a little — 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


224 

that thou would blame me. Well, another time. 
Fate is fate. They cannot escape.” 

Tulita put her hand on Ouleon’s forehead. It 
was cool, and his breath came evenly. He was 
not, then, suffering from that fever which did 
sometimes distort his thought, and which the old 
pardres had called crazed.” 

Ouleon, tell me, first. Art thou in need of 
anything I can do now?” 

^^No. Ouleon is an eagle. The eagle may suf- 
fer a broken wing, but does it therefore complain ? 
Wilt thou listen?” 

Yes, yes.” 

On that last night in the city. Thou hadst 
been thrown down and injured. Had not old 
Eamon been there beside thee I would have been. 
But it was better so, I thought. It gave me a 
chance for that vengeance which I meant should 
be swift and sure. Besides, these white skins 
have more money in their pouches than I can 
earn catching my little beasts in many a day. 
To be rid of them, that they never more should 
harm a daughter of my people, and at the same 
time fill my bosom with that precious money 


OULEON'S STORY TO TULITA. 


225 


which we will need when we go up to the great 
pow-wow. Truly, I was in the highest favor.” 

‘^Ouleon, of whom art thou speaking? Quick, 
the names ! ” 

^^They call her the other ^Princess’ Eliot. The 
rich man and his child, thou must surely know 
them. They talked with thee that night.” 

Tulita had become very calm. She was cold 
with apprehension, but she would not again in- 
terrupt this story by any question. Ouleon went 
on : — 

I knew a way. The best way and the 
surest. I took it. I got me a poison to kill me 
a hundred coyotes. Then I mounted and rode 
for life — for death ! They, too, would mount and 
ride, but I would be the first at the Fairy Spring. 
Only — the old white man — ” 

^^Well?” interrupted Tulita, with a gasp. 

^^But for him it would have been all well; 
exactly as the trap was set the prey would have 
been snared. But he came. He always comes. 
He came, I say, and he rode beside me all the 
way, or nearly. Then he pretended to go away 
to the lower ranch, and I was free. It worked. 


226 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


I had planned it all before; how I could stop the 
coming and the flowing of the spring. It worked. 
Into the little channel it trickled safely ; but in 
the pool, where I had stopped it well, where all 
men and all beasts which pass that way always 
must drink, I put the poison. Ay, it worked, for 
the horse lay dead that tasted it but once.” 

Even in the dimness Tulita could see the sat- 
isfaction which overspread the haggard, sinister 
face of the speaker. 

The others — did they also drink ? ” 

^^No; for that white man — my enemy — he 
had not gone away. He had hidden, and when 
they came he cried out and warned them. I 
shot him and he fell ; I thought that he was 
dead, but when I went back after all was still 
he had been taken away. If he died he came back 
to life again, for he met me in the canon, or on 
the mesa above it, and — here I am. But, that 
other princess — long will the days and nights be 
to her, where she is shut up in the darkness ; for 
she will not have what Ouleon has had — sweet 
thoughts of revenge achieved — to comfort her.” 
Tulita’s natural aflection, always strong and pro- 


OULEON^S STORY TO TULITA. 227 

tecting, seemed suddenly frozen within her. This 
— her Ouleon, from whom she had hoped so much ? 
But her agonized curiosity was the only emotion 
of which she was conscious. 

How comes she in the darkness, Ouleon ? ” 

^^As fate willed. There was trouble in the rich 
man’s places ; trouble which Ouleon began, and the 
fool white men took up and finished. I had set 
them to fighting one another, like birds of prey, 
and I was satisfied. Then, afterward, as I went 
down the gulch toward that cavern beyond, I saw 
her — the white princess — imprisoned there by the 
storm. She was on her white horse, and only I 
might get her free. Did I ? I went to her, and 
she trusted me. They are all fools, these pale- 
faces. So I blindfolded her eyes, and led her all 
the perilous way. Without me she would have 
died in the canon, unless her own people had found 
her in time ; or she would else have died crossing 
the Ledge of Death. But with my care she lived, 
and still lives, a prisoner, as I am ; but not, like 
me, a prisoner by choice, who can free himself at 
his will — when his strength comes back.” 

Tulita sat silent, too moved to speak, and pon- 


228 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


dering how best to accomplish the object which 
she had resolved upon the very instant that Ouleon 
had uttered the reassuring words, still lives.” 

Did I not well, Tulita ? ” 
will tell thee that later. Let me hear the 
finish of the tale; there is more to come.” 

Surely. I left her secure ; but there is food 
enough. She will live a long time ; and for com- 
pany there is the fox and the owls above her head. 
When I can walk once more I will go back. I 
will offer her freedom for her money, and I will 
not release her without it. She will promise, but 
— I don’t know ; I get confused, some way. It 
was the fall he sent me to — ” 

What fall, Ouleon, my brother ? ” asked Tulita, 
sisterly affection again returning to her heart. 

^^The man I shot and hoped to kill. When I 
had left the white girl in her prison I took her 
horse home. Ah ! I remember. I was to demand 
money from her father, not from her. He would 
see the horse, and he would believe; and I would 
make the price a large one. But, instead — ” 
Instead ? ” 

That man again ! He was there at the brink 


OULEON’S STORY TO TULITA. 


229 


of the mesa, with hatred in his heart and revenge 
in his hand. He had loved the palefaces, his 
friends; so he hated me, their enemy. He spake 
with me, and he flung me. I rolled over and 
over. It was a long stretch to the bottom of the 
gulch, and any other would have died ; but not 
Ouleon. A day and a night I lay there; then I 
crept — crept to this. It was the nearest. There 
is always food in these caverns. I know not in 
which I will ever pass the night, and what I do 
not bring to them other braves do. No bones 
were broken. I shall he well again ; but my head 
— I like best to lie still and wait. When hunger 
comes I crawl away and eat, but it is little; and 
water is always here at my hand. Art pleased, 
Tulita de la Vega?’' 

I shall be better pleased when thou tellest 
me in what cave she lives and suffers, this other 
would-be princess.” The tone of her voice was 
intended to disarm his suspicion, and it did. 

Thou couldst not set her free, Tulita.” 

Why should I try ? But why could I not ? ” 

Because before the entrance is a rock which only 
many men can move, or — he who knows its secret!'* 


230 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Then, if I could not move it, nor be so moved 
by her ^entreaties, thou mightest as well tell me 
just where it is. I will go and look upon it from 
the outside, and reflect upon the revenge my Ouleon 
has wrought.'’ 

do not mind that, Tulita. Thou art a fee- 
ble child, and the strength of thy hand is the 
strength of a bird’s claw. North, north, and north 
again, where the manzanite is thick and there is 
a cross of stones, such as the padres used to heap 
in their journeyings to and fro.” 

But such crosses are plentiful as the clouds 
in the sky.” 

But not a cross all of white stones. Ouleon 
knows. Did he not help to build it just within 
the sheltering rocks? I tell thee, Tulita, that is 
the cavern where the gold will some day be 

found. I, Ouleon, will find it. I live there, 

mostly, just for that, so that no other brave may 
suspect and find it.” 

“The gold! Ouleon, art thou crazed indeed! 

These palefaces have sharp eyes. While thou 
liest here laughing to have shut her up, that 

other princess may already have been digging it 


OULEON'S STORY TO TULITA. 23 I 

out herself. Her hair is of gold. I have heard 
it said in the city that her father has but to 
touch a thing and it turns to gold. Thou hast 
wrought thine own undoing, Ouleon, my brother. 
Unless — ” 

Unless ? Quick, Tulita ! ” 

Forgetful of the wounds and bruises which had 
been so terrible, and which were still far from 
healed, the Indian raised himself upon his elbow 
and scanned her face. 

The princess had lighted the rush-lamp and 
placed it beside her. Its rays illumined her beau- 
tiful countenance, over which so many conflicting 
emotions played. 

Unless yon tell me exactly how to find her^ and 
so protect the treasure.” 

^^But if I tell thee, what good? Thou canst 
not move the door of rock. I might show thee, 
I could never tell thee its secret!” cried . Ouleon, 
in despair; for his weakened brain could now 
grasp but one idea ; and wholly merged in his 
fear of losing an unknown and doubtful treasure 
was the other fear of having his prisoner escape 
without a rich ransom. 


232 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


But is there no other way ? ” 

^^None that admits of entrance. There is one 
— a spot, a vein or fissure in the canon wall 
itself — through which one might look down upon 
her and gloat upon her misery.'’ 

Then tell it to me quick, my brother ! ” 

He believed her at one with himself — and told. 


CHAPTER XXI. 


A TALK THROUGH THE CAVERN’S ROOF. 

ULITA crawled back out of the cavern in which 



she had found Ouleon ; but she had no sooner 
reached the outer air than she regretted having 
done so little for his personal comfort. Her 
love for Patience Eliot had sprung up suddenly 
in her heart — an absorbing affection, noble and 
beautiful, and that was to influence all her life 
for good. But the old saying, Blood is thicker 
than water,” is no truer anywhere than among 
those people who live according to natural instincts 
without the restraints of a higher civilization. 

^^He said that she had food and drink if she 
would use it, while he — poor Ouleon ! Those 
whom the Great Spirit has deprived of something 
here ” — and she tapped her forehead — should 
be the especial care of their own households. I 
will go back and help him first ; it is my duty.” 


233 


234 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


In a few moments she again appeared in the 
cavern, and, to Ouleon’s now greatly excited fancy, 
like a tormenting spirit. The fever which had 
lain dormant in his veins rose and burned fiercely, 
and his wild ravings frightened Tulita, while they 
all the more convinced her that she had been 
wise to return. 

She resolutely put all thoughts of Patience from 
her as she set to work to allay his distress. 

He is suffering great pain, that is plain ; and 
the heat in his temples is terrible. Well, I can 
help that, at least. I saw some of that fever- 
weed outside this very cavern; I will get it and 
bruise it at once,” thought Tulita, and hurried 
back again into the outer air. 

She cared little for the troubles of this difficult 
passage to and fro, and quickly returned with the 
plant in her hand. Bruising the great cool leaves, 
she bound them about Ouleon’s head ; and at the 
grateful touch he opened his eyes and smiled 
faintly. He was evidently a very ill man, and 
Tulita made haste to fetch the gourd of water 
fresh from the little spring that, as in most other 
caves of that canon, bubbled close at hand. 


A TALK THROUGH THE CAVERN'S ROOF. 235 

All night she tended her foster-brother, though 
her heart ached with its longing to reach and 
set free the girl about whom all her young imagi- 
nation clustered with ideal romance. And all 
night she listened to his broken utterances — 
fragments of the dreams which had filled his 
unbalanced mind, or of the sordid habits of his 
life. 

But toward morning the tenor of his thoughts 
seemed changed, and Tulita listened with quick- 
ened interest as the words, Gold,” Swing 
right — left — up — down,” The owls hoot,” 
^^Food enough,” ^^Die, die, die!” and a great 
many similar disjointed phrases proved that his 
brain was then busy with his last piece of treach- 
ery — the imprisonment of Patience Eliot, and its 
possible consequences. 

Swing right — left — up — down,” repeated the 
coyote hunter again and again, and once after 
such repetition he added, angrily : Why dost 

thou tarry, Tulita ? I have told thee ! She will 
get it — she will get it all! The gold — quick! 
— if she is not free — she must not — the gold ! ” 

Tulita laid her hands upon the tossing hands 


236 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

of the sick Indian and held them firmly. The 
touch quieted his restlessness, and after a little 
he relapsed into a deep slumber from which Tu- 
lita knew he would awake a sane man, though a 
much weaker one. But she hailed the silence 
gratefully, glad of a chance to sit and think over 
the words she had heard, and which slie knew 
referred to Patience. 

After he rouses once more I will cook him a 
breakfast of beef and biscuit ; and I will make 
him tea of the slumber-bush ; then he will lie at 
ease and peace for hours, and I — can set that 
other princess free.” 

Soothed by her own plans, Tulita also sank 
into a refreshing sleep from which she waked at 
daybreak, and set to work to care for her Ouleon 
as she had designed. 

He, indeed, slept late under the healing effects 
of the leaves upon his brow ; but he woke at 
length, and eagerly ate the food prepared by Tu- 
lita, and drank deep draughts of the sweet-flavored 
tea. 

Thou hast the gift of women, Tulita, my sister. 
Thou canst heal all ills. I have longed for thee 


A TALK THROUGH THE CAVERN'S ROOF. 237 

sorely sometimes, when the pain racked my limbs. 
Bnt, mostly, I have not suffered much. Now I 
will suffer no more. I will drink and sleep, Tulita, , 
and when I wake we will go together, thou and I, 
to that cavern in the north where she is, alone 
with the gold. There is gold upon her head, too, 
thou sayest. It is a part of that — But what — 
art angry, Tulita?” 

Not angry, my brother ; but thou art comfort- 
able and on the road to health. I will go now, 
and come again.” ^ 

Where wilt thou go?” 

To speak with thy prisoner. Is that not 
well ? ” • 

^^Yes; but thou canst not let her out. No; I 
took care for that. Only, some day, if thou wilt 
swear to be faithful, I will show thee how to open 
the great door of the cavern. Nobody alive now 
knows but Ouleon. So I believe the Padre Miguel 
knew. He told me; but the padre is dead — 
peace be with him! and if Ouleon were dead — 
but he’s not. Farewell, Tulita. Safe journey, safe 
return.” 

Tulita went joyfully away. She was always 


238 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

fleet of foot, but she had never moved as swiftly 
as she did then; and very soon she had gained 
that point which Ouleon had described, where a 
crevice in the canon wall admitted the descent of 
a human body. Narrow as it was, and easily over- 
looked by the ordinary passer through the main 
ravine, Tulita found, as her brother had described, 
a sort of stairway cut in the rocks. The care 
bestowed on these steps, and the smoothness to 
which some of them had been worn, proved that 
it had been a descent utilized for ages, per- 
haps. 

^‘It may be true — that old, old story! This 
may, indeed, be the very way to the ^ cave of gold,’ 
though Ouleon has not yet found it, well as he 
knows the place ; because if he had we should 
have seen some signs of his possessing it before. 
No; he thinks it leads to it, but at the end 
there is no trace. Well! I, too, am after gold; 
but gold richer than was ever dug from any mine 
— the sight of a golden head.” 

In a few seconds she had reached the uttermost 
depth to which it was possible to proceed; and 
there, exactly as Ouleon had told, was a small, flat 


A TALK THROUGH THE CAVER H^S ROOK 239 


stone, whereon were traced some curious hieroglyph- 
ics. Indian paintings they appeared to be, and 
though Tulita had been an apt scholar during the 
few years that she had been under the care of the 
mission fathers, and had often seen such paintings 
in their possession, she had never been allowed to 
study their significance. 

But at that moment she cared not one whit for 
any hidden message from any dead and gone Ind- 
ian. She longed only for the welcome sound of 
a clear, girlish voice ; and carelessly tossing aside 
the stone, which moved smoothly and easily, she 
put her lips to the aperture in the earth which this 
disclosed, and gave a loud cry. 

Hola, 0 hola ! ” the familiar halloo of that 
locality — that which was very often on the lips of 
Patience Eliot herself. 

There followed a silence, and after waiting a 
reasonable time lest she might lose a return hal- 
loo, Tulita cried again. Again she waited, and 
again she cried; and at last, as hope was dying 
within her, there was borne to her strained hear- 
ing a faint sound that was too unlike her own 
summons to be its echo. 


240 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


‘‘‘ She is there ! She lives ! But it sounds — 
Is she ill?” 

It was no echo, surely ; nor was the prisoner s 
response faint for the reason that Tulita feared. 
But the cavern was a mighty one, and Patience 
was at that hour taking the daily walks through- 
out its chambers which had helped to keep hope 
alive. Each day she had thought, To-day I may 
find a way out;” and each day — till then — she 
had returned from the fruitless search disappointed, 
but not wholly discouraged. 

God would not suffer me to live so long if He 
did not mean me to escape at last,” she said over 
and over to the white fox, who had become her 
constant and now loving companion ; and as for 
the owls, whose screeches and cries had almost 
killed her with fright during that early portion of 
her imprisonment, these had become a most curious 
and interesting study to her. She had seen none 
of their sort before, and she often found herself 
laughing at the grotesque results of her efforts to 
tame and teach them. 

So on that day when Tulita came. Patience was less 
startled than if she had given up hope in the first place. 


A TALK THROUGH THE CAVERN'S ROOF. 24 1 

Hark, Reynard ! Listen ! You do ! You can 
hear with your sharp ears even quicker than I. 
It is a halloo! It is somebody looking for me; it 
sounds this way. Come 1 ” 

She ran forward, following the rescuer’s voice, 
but misled sometimes by the echoes of the cavern, 
and advancing in one direction only to retrace her 
steps and take another; and at last she came so 
near, the ^^Hola, 0 hola!” grew so distinct, that 
she could also make her own glad response heard. 

Thank the dear God ! ” she cried aloud. Then 
came a second thought : What if it is Ouleon 

come again — only to do me more harm 1 Well, he 
is still a human being; he cannot be all bad.” 

Then her fears died wholly, for the next cry 
sounded so near and so clear that she could tell it 
was a girl’s voice — an eager and glad voice — and 
she shouted with all the force which her intense 
relief and joy could give to her bell-like tones. 

^^I am here — I, Patience Eliot!” 

^^And I am here — Tulita, the Indian girl!” 

^^Will you let me out?” 

^^Be patient — I cannot; the door is too heavy. 
But I have only just heard of this — this awful 


242 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

thing. I am going straight to your father himself. 
Listen. It was my brother — my poor, wicked, 
half-crazed brother who has shut you up. I will 
atone for it if you and I live long enough. So 
you will believe me, and keep heart while I am 
gone. The way is a long one, and I must run it. 
I have no horse, yet that shall not make me the 
later back if love can wing my footsteps. Take 
heart — I will return, and I will bring your father 
with me. He, and he alone, shall open the door 
of your prison and set you free. Do you believe 
me ? Will you trust me ? ’’ 

Patience strained her eyes to see the face above 
the aperture in the cave’s roof; yet though she 
failed in this the words carried clear and distinct. 

She was so happy that she could scarcely con- 
trol her own utterance ; but she replied, and Tulita 
heard, I trust you; I will wait in patience.” 
Then as another thought occurred, ^^That Ouleon 
— will he not also come?” 

^^Fear not; if I read the signs aright, Ouleon, 
the Eagle Feather, will come no more to his home 
in the North Canon. He lies at rest and ill. For- 
get him; remember only Tulita, whom you called 


A TALK THROUGH THE CAVERN^ S ROOF. 


friend — who will prove herself such, or die. 
Adios ! ” 

Adios ! ” returned Patience, and caught up old 
Eeynard in such an embrace as astonished him 
into slinking away to the remotest chamber of the 
cavern, sociable animal though he really was. 

Never you mind, Reynard, my friend. There 
are others coming — and dad — my dad ! 


CHAPTER XXII. 


SWING EIGHT LEFT UP — DOWN.” 

ONG MARK meant to do exactly as he was 



bidden ; but, Hang it all, Ichy boy ! You 
and me have had enough of Injuns. If it had 
been a white-skinned girl who had run off with 
David Eliot on such an errand I’d have believed 
he and she knew their own business. But an Injun, 
male or female, I allow he doesn’t. He’s too trust- 
ing, is Davy. I — will — I won’t — Plague take 
it ! I will ! ” 

With which enigmatical resolution Mark Corlear 
cut loose from the group of horsemen he had assem- 
bled at the top of the mesa where the mountain 
trail came clear through the herbage, and loped 
away. One or two started to follow, and Ichy’s 
increased pace notified him of this, even though he 
did not hear them, so swiftly was he rushing for- 
ward. So he paused and wheeled to shout back : — 


244 


“ 5 IVIJVG RIGHT — LEFT— UP— DO WN. 


245 


You fellows stay where you are 1 I’m going 
on alone. I’ in disobeying orders, but there’s no 
call for you to do so. Unless — See this?” 

He pulled a silver trifle from bis pocket, and 
rapidly manipulating it, fashioned of it a long, 
slender trumpet, upon which he blew a gentle 
blast. The sound was unlike anything ever heard 
at Santa Paula — piercingly sweet, shrill, and with 
a power of sustained echoing that was truly won- 
derful. 

Ever hear anything like that ? ” demanded 
Mark, looking affectionately at the whistle, as a 
more persistent Caballero than the rest cantered 
up to him. 

^^No. Where did you get it?” 

Where you won’t care to go after its mate, 
my friend and fellow-citizen. Bought it, or was 
given it, on the inside of a Russian prison. On 
the way to that cool and comfortable little home 
of ice and snow — Siberia.” 

No!” 

‘^True. I might have been there yet, but I’m 
not. I’m down in California the blest, a-hunting 
Injuns — or keeping track of them. Well, so long. 


246 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


I didn’t give you a fair sample 0’ what this little 
jigger can do, but if I were to blow on her regu- 
lar and strong, I allow you could almost hear her 
from here to ’Frisco. Well, if you do hear this 
music, you tumble to it. There’ll be either trouble 
or something. When she blows, you travel. Si ? ” 
In verity. Good luck ! I’m glad you’re after 
the master. We none of us liked his riding alone, 
on a false trail, maybe.” 

The horsemen waited long. So long that some 
of them left their saddles and lounged on the 
grass, playing a game with pebbles that answered 
the usual purpose of any game which ranchmen 
affect. But in the midst of this quietude, while 
some were eagerly scanning the horizon for signs 
of the returning party, there floated out upon the 
air the echo of that strange Russian trumpet-call. 
It was so clear, so long-sustained — without break 
of any sort — that the horsemen were able to fol- 
low it as one would follow a beaten road. 

Old Gaspar rode ahead. After he was deprived 
of his own bay, he had picked out the best mount 
he could for himself, and though all loved the 
household they served, there was none among that 


SWING RIGHT— LEFT— UP— DOWN.^^ 247 

loyal throng as devoted to the little sehorita as 
her own body-servant who adored her. 

Into the North Canon. On the road to the 
Upper Folding ! he. cried to the nearest follower. 
And again love urged his speed to the utmost. 
So that it was he who came first to the danger- 
ous descent down which Patience had gone on that 
fateful day whereon began her imprisonment in the 
cavern. 

But where had then been a rushing flood, that 
had risen during the rains to subside again as sud- 
denly when they ceased, was now a rough and 
rocky road, although one far less perilous than 
the Ledge of Death that, halfway up, circled the 
curving canon wall, and over which Patience had 
been led blindfolded to the cave. Through this 
ravine they pushed as best they could, still fol- 
lowing the leading-string of sound till they had 
passed the great landslides, and reached a more 
open spot. 

'' It’s climb again ! ” said one. And climb again 
they did; but at last all stood grouped about the 
three who had preceded them, Mr. Eliot, Tulita, 
and Long Mark. 


248 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

So far from being angry at this following, both 
the princess and her companion had been delighted 
when the globe-trotter ” appeared before them. 
Mr. Eliot had asked, merely, How did you know 
where to come ? ” and Mark had answered, with 
equal brevity, By the tracks of three horses in 
the fresh soil.” 

Now you’ve come, open this door. She’s be- 
hind it, my Patience ! ” cried Mr. Eliot, maddened 
by the delay and the apparently puny obstacle 
which prevented him from reaching his child. 

Of course. That’s what I came for. But — is 
the door this rock?” 

^^Yes, I think so,” said Tulita, anxiously. And 
she repeated to the newcomer, what she had previ- 
ously told to Mr. Eliot, all that she had learned 
from Ouleon in the other cavern. 

^^This beats the Yale combination all hollow! 
That’s where nature is ahead of science. H’mm ! 
But now what’s the use of waiting to find the 
key? Madam Nature, we’ll try what the com- 
bined force of a score of arms can do against you 1 •” 

Whereupon Mark blew his marvellous signal, and 
a dozen men responded. 


SIVING m/GZ/T—LEFT— UP—DOIVJV: 


249 


When they arrived he explained : We’ve got to 
shove this rock aside somehow at once. Now^ 

altogether and tackle it ! As for you, Davy boy, 
clear out. You’re too tremulous by half to be of 
any use.” 

Mark unceremoniously pushed his friend aside, 

and thrust his mighty shoulder to the mightier 

rock. As well have tried to move the whole 
mountain side! 

Then, suddenly, with a wild light flashing over 
his dark face, old Gaspar leaped to the fore : — 
Wait I — wait ! ” 

^^Wait for what?” 

^^Chito! Buen! In verity! I remember — I 

remember! I was with him, the padr^! I, a 
little lad, and I heard, I saw ! Swing right — left 
— up — down! So — so — so — and — so!” 

They held their breaths while he, alone and sin- 
gle-handed, essayed what all their combined force 
could not achieve. They too had tried the for- 
mula that Tulita had repeated, but from ignorance 
how or where to touch the stone which they had 
failed upon, and which now, from another source, 
Gaspar had learned and repeated with success. 


250 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


The rock swayed slightly, clumsily, as an ele- 
phant awaking from sleep. It was not unlike that 
ungainly creature in shape, and — like it still — 
when once its mighty body really moved it did so 
with a smoothness and celerity that was surprising. 

Yet moved noisily, also \ and the sounds were 
welcome ones to the girl behind the barrier. She 
was at the cavern’s entrance instantly, for, acting 
upon advice given her by Tulita through the 
aperture at the other end, she had passed her 
hours of waiting in the first entrance chamber. 

However, long before the huge rock had rolled 
half round, David Eliot had forced his way past 
it and inward, as Patience sprang outward — into 
his arms. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


ON THE LONG, STILL HUNT. 

HEN at length David Eliot and Patience 



^ could find a thought or word for any save 
themselves, so full were they of the supreme joy 
which that hour brought, they turned to look for 
Tulita. 

She must hear it all, too, my beautiful Indian 
princess ! by whose hands alone I have been re- 
stored to you, dad — dear, precious dad ! She must 
hear all each of us has to tell the other. Oh, 
isn’t God good to set me free again, to make you 
happy, dad, my precious ! ” 

That depends on the point of view,” said Long 
Mark ; but I don’t see any amazing lot of good 
done by allowing such a little girl as you to be 
shut up in the first place. Howsoniever, one thing 
always leads to another in this world ; and your 
exploring that cavern might lead to our discovering 


261 


252 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


a gold mine! Same’s a body might be struck by 
lightning, even in California, where it never lightens. 
But this is a circumscribed spot for a fellow to 
express such feelings as mine in. Let’s move on.” 

Indeed, the overjoyful traveller had been trying 
to execute what he called a fandango,” but what 
to the observer closely resembled the war-dance of 
his enemies ; and his long legs had more than 
once come in contact with Gaspar’s shins. 

The latter, jealous of his little lady’s affection, 
and mindful of what all the rest seemed to forget 
— his own personal share in the liberation of 
their sehorita — now retorted, rather proudly : I 
should like to know lolio opened the door of rock ? 
Where would the senorita be now if Gaspar had 
not come ? ” 

And where would Gaspar be if I hadn’t called 
him ? ” asked Long Mark. I did it with my little 
whistle. I’m a latter-day George Washington — I 
cannot tell a lie.” 

Everybody laughed, and the air seemed to clear 
of the over-tension of feeling which had pervaded 
it. But when the laugh subsided. Patience, from 
her happy perch upon Blanco’s back, with her 


ON THE LONG, STILL HUNT 


253 

hand stretched across to her father’s saddle to 
clasp his own hand in that reassuring grasp which 
convinced her ^^this was not all a dream,” looked 
round once more, and still in vain, for Tulita. 

Where did she go ? Did anybody see her ? ” 
she asked, and, as before, nobody could answer 
that he had. 

Then she must have slipped away over the 
mesa. Let’s get to the top, where we can see all 
about, and find her if we can. For she went so 
softly, how could I miss her ? Only a moment 
before she was smiling into my face, glad in my 
gladness, and then — she was gone ! Will you, 
somebody, look after Reynard ? I want him to 
keep, always, if I can.” 

Nobody cared for the task, though anybody 
would do anything just then for their senorita; 
so one Caballero disposed of that matter by throw- 
ing a lariat around the animal’s neck, and, having 
thus captured it, proceeded to tie its feet with 
the same rope, which accomplished, the white fox, 
blinking at the unusual light in which he found 
himself, was ignominiously tossed across the horn 
of a saddle and so conveyed out of the canon. 


254 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

There was still no sight or sound of Tulita, and 
Patience felt a keener disappointment than she 
would have thought anything could cause her 
during that first happy hour of reunion with her 
father ; but after they had journeyed for some 
distance down the ravine, seeking the nearest 
path upward out of it, they suddenly emerged 
upon a sort of plateau whereon a broncho was 
quietly grazing. 

There was no person in sight, but the broncho 
had the look of one which had been left in wait- 
ing. A bridle and blanket were upon it, though 
rudely and loosely fastened, and old Mark at once 
ejaculated, Indians ! ” 

Where ? ” asked Patience, eagerly, from her 
head of the little procession of equestrians. In- 
dians,” to her, suggested just then as much pleasure 
as it gave displeasure to Corlear. 

Nowhere — yes — hark ! ” 

As they rode slowly forward, listening and 
looking, a figure seemed to rise out of the earth 
before them. The point whence it appeared was 
slightly higher than that on which the cavalcade 
had now, as with one instinct, paused; and they 


ON THE LONG, STILL HUNT. 255 

saw that the figure was Tulita’s — Tulita, yet 
there was something about her at that moment 
which hushed the sound of their own voices as 
they beheld her. 

Never had maiden, red-skinned or white, been 
clothed with air of greater majesty than she, as 
she stood there confronting them all yet set 
apart as in another world. Even Patience, whose 
heart leaped with pride and love toward her 
young savior, could not advance a step nor even 
speak. 

It did not need the Indian maid’s one gesture, 
that outward protesting motion of the arms with 
the palms spread, to arrest every eye, and to con- 
vince each watcher that here was being enacted 
one of life’s tragedies. For their glances passed 
beyond La Vega to another figure, half recumbent, 
its head against a hillock of dead rushes. 

Ouleon ! ” Coyote Jack ! ” thought one and 
another, nor did any move. 

Coyote Jack — on his last, long, still hunt ! 

Tulita came slowly toward them. Her face was 
pale beneath its olive, but her eyes glowed with 
the light of a young seeress. She seemed not to 


256 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

observe their presence any more than that of the 
insects crawling upon the ground \ but she moved 
steadily forward to the broncho, and laid her hand 
upon his mane. 

^^Thy master needs thee, West Wind. Thou 
art to bear him on his last ride.” 

Even the horse appeared to feel the influence 
of the moment, for he offered not the slightest 
resistance, and followed her obediently across the 
few rods intervening to the prostrate man among 
the rushes. 

There they paused together, and Tulita, stoop- 
ing, laid her hand on Ouleon’s head, now fallen 
forward upon his breast in the agony of approach- 
ing dissolution. 

Art thou ready, Ouleon, my brother ? Son of 
a great chief, prince of thy people, Ouleon the 
Eagle Feather, art thou ready ? ” 

He tried to respond, but his feebleness was too 
great. 

Then Tulita opened the bosom of her buckskin 
tunic, and took from it a tiny leathern bottle. 
She opened this also, and pressed it to the sick 
man’s lips ; and, after a moment or two of silent 


ON THE LONG, STILL HUNT. 257 

waiting, the potion, whatever it was, had its due 
effect. Ouleon’s head lifted itself proudly upon 
his shoulders, and he made a motion to rise. 

The movement was so pathetic and full of sig- 
nificance that even Mark, the Injun hater,” sprang 
forward to aid. 

But La Vega waved him back. To her and her 
alone belonged the privileges of that scene. With 
a strength that was marvellous and only born of 
her powerful emotion so wholly controlled, the 
Indian maiden lifted the great, wasted frame of 
poor Eagle Feather and placed it upon the West 
Wind’s back. Then, still supporting Ouleon with 
one arm, with the other she unfolded from her 
own shoulders the scarlet blanket which had cov- 
ered them, and wrapped it about the dying brave. 
This done she took her station rigidly beside him, 
and with both arms clasping him as if she would 
withhold him from the grasp which was stronger 
than hers, stronger than any mortal clasp — she 
waited the end. 

It came, but not at once. The cordial she had 
given had yet its work to do, and Ouleon spoke : — 
Art thou here, Tulita, my sister ? ” 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


253 

I am here, Ouleon, my brother.” 

How dies a brave of our tribe, Tulita ? ” 

Mounted, with his face to the sunset, with no 
fear in his heart.” 

Am — I — thus ? My eyes — there is a mist 
in the canon. Oh, my sister ! ” 

It is the mist of the Vast Unknown.” 

It — chokes me. Is there no sun to shine ? 
Will it rise, and still higher ? ” 

^^Till it folds thy heart in a dreamless peace 
as thy blanket folds thy shoulders from the chill 
of night.” 

But — the chill is still there — Tulita ! There, 
beneath the blanket ! ” 

And beneath the mist of death is the love of 
the Great Spirit. Thou passeth to His presence 
even now. Be brave, my brother.” 

Some wave of returning thought, some vestige 
of his wasted ambition, pierced the brain afresh. 
As Gaspar later said, Ouleon died hard ! ” Life 
was, indeed, loath to leave her citadel, sapped 
though it was by the rust of the white man’s 
fire-water,” and tainted by a white-man-like greed 
for gold. Without the curse of these two evils, 


ON THE LONG, STILL HUNT. 


259 


Ouleon had lived nobly as Tulita now sought to 
make him die nobly. 

The Great — Shall Ouleon, be in the pow- 
wow of all the tribes, La Vega ? ” 

‘^In the great pow-wow of all the tribes which 
ever have been, or ever shall be.'' 

Will — I — be — heard ? " 

Courage, courage, my brother ! Thou shalt be 
heard and answered'' 

The anguish of her cry thrilled every heart. It 
was ‘^only an Indian" dying, but it might have 
been a royal son of earth's greatest potentate yet 
aroused no keener grief. 

^^It passes — it clears — I grow strong! I will 
not die, Tulita, but — live — live — " 

Courage, my brother. Thou shalt live, indeed 
— eternally." 

Oiileon's body sank in its place upon the West 
Wind, his head dropped against the rigidly erect 
head of the girl who still supported him, and the 
rescuing party passed silently out of the canon. 


CHAPTER XXIY. 


FINDING TULITA. 


ATIENCE stayed quietly at Santa Paula for 



three days after her return from imprison- 
ment, enjoying to the utmost the festivities which 
were prolonged through all that time, for David 
Eliot made it open house to all who came, and 
they were many. 

It’s a regular fatted calf business with chicken 
fixings,” commented Long Mark, as on the morn- 
ing of the fourth day a fresh batch of arrivals 
appeared on the great veranda ; but this keeping 
on your company manners so long at a stretch is 
rather wearing to the nerves. Hey, Patience, my 
dear ? ” 

Patience was thoughtfully standing at that mo- 
ment before one of the windows and dreamily 
looking out. She had little knowledge of any 
difierence in company.” or everyday ” manners, 
though Mark had often tried to explain it to her. 


260 


FINDING TULITA. 


261 


but she turned to him as he spoke with a gleam 
of mischief breaking through her abstraction. 

Which means, as near as I can make out, 
that to be just natural and sincere is to be ^ every- 
day ’ like, and to make one’s self uncomfortable 
by pretending to be what one is not is to wear 
our ^company’ ones. Well, I haven’t any such, 
for which I’m glad. But, Mark, doesn’t it look 
just lovely out there ? ” 

a Pj-ixne.” 

How’s Ichabod?” 

Eating his head off in the stable.” 

Let’s go and see him do it.” 

Couldn’t. Too painful. How’s Blanco?” 

Lonesome.” 

Good enough. Let’s put their two lonesomes 
together and go for a ride.” 

^‘If I do it must be for a long one, and one 
you may not like.” 

^^Like any place — in California,” he added, by 
way of caution. 

^^Well, I sha’n’t ask you to go out of the state 
this morning. But — how’s the ^ Indian question ’ 
nowadays, dear Mark ? ” 


262 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


What you driving at, sehorita?’’ 
want to ride and find Tulita, if I can. I’m 
going to try and get her to live with me,” Pa- 
tience answered. 

Mark’s face sobered. 

“ If the Indians were all like her, I’d have some 
hopes of ’em.” 

If the white men were all like Dad David or 
Mark Corlear it would be a pretty good sort of 
country to live in, wouldn’t it ? ” 

Being one of the interested parties, my testi- 
mony couldn’t count.” 

^^Will you go with me to try and find her?” 

To Patience’s real surprise Long Mark an- 
swered earnestly : I’m agreeable — entirely. I 

owe her considerable, an’ I’d like to begin to pay 
the debt.” 

“ What do you owe her, Mark ? ” 

It was I who pitched her brother over the 
mesa down into the canon. I suppose that’s the 
trouble he never got over.” 

Why — Long Mark Corlear 1 ” 

‘^Well, it’s not so surprising as you appear to 
think. I did it to save your life; or, at least. 


FINDING TULITA. 


263 


I did it because I thought he’d taken it, and 
he had no right to live any longer. He surely 
deserved death, the poisoning vermin ! yet — ” 

Dear Mark, don’t ! You are trying to make 
yourself feel ugly toward him again. I can see — 
I understand. You must have been born hating 
Indians as I seem to have been born loving them ; 
but after you saw poor Ouleon die you felt a ‘ little 
uncertain of your premises,’ as dad says about busi- 
ness things. Well, keep on being uncertain. It’s 
better and happier and sunshinier all round to fancy 
people are good than to believe them evil. When 
I think a mean thing about anybody, I feel after- 
ward just as if my face was dirty. Don’t you?” 

^^Well, not to put it exactly as strong as that, 
I may feel like washing my hands.” 

^^Will you go?” 

After Tulita de la Vega?” 

^^Yes — of course.” 

^^Is David willing?” 

Surely. He feels quite as I do. We both 
want to have that noble creature become one of 
our own family. That’s what I’m going to ask 
her now — if I can find her.” 


264 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

^^I’ve found her already.” 

You dear old Mark ! Have you, really ? I 
don’t mean to doubt your word, of course \ but 
it seems too good to be true. When and where?” 

Say, Patience, there is some Yankee blood 
in your veins, isn’t there ? Sometimes you’ve 
seemed all Californian, and sometimes Spanish, 
and sometimes even a little bit Indiany — the 
good kind, I mean — Tulita’s kind. But when it 
comes to asking questions. New England’s to the 
fore. I know; I’ve been all over — ” 

Beg pardon. Long Mark. I don’t care to 
make the tour of the world again this morning, 
even in your company. But tell me about Tu- 
lita.” 

^^Not I. I’ll show you, though, as Gaspar 
showed us about the secret hinges of the cavern 
door. Shall I order our gallant steeds?” 

^^If you will be so kind, while I get myself 
into riding clothes.” 

Presently they were off over the mesa, almost 
as fleet as the birds on the wing, and quite as 
merry ; for no two happier people ever drew 
breath than old Mark Corlear and his favorite. 


FINDING TULITA. 


265 


Patience. Unlike as they were in most things^ 
they were of one mind in this : to make the world 
the brighter for their being in it; and, as all do 
who follow such a plan, they found an overflow- 
ing delight returned upon themselves. 

The road was a direct one, and very quickly 
they had come to the village by the arroyo, and 
to a group of women idling about its wet sands. 
The women peered curiously into the faces of 
the equestrians, but nobody spoke to them and no 
civilities were ofEered. These women were, almost 
without exception, dirty and unkempt, and upon 
their dark faces they had the hopeless look of 
dumb, hardly used animals. The. men — if men 
they were — belonging to the settlement had all 
disappeared save one, whom, even at a distance. 
Patience recognized as the guardian of her prin- 
cess whenever the latter had been seen upon Los 
Angeles’s streets. 

The old man was approaching over the plain, 
and, seeing no nearer chance of gaining informa- 
tion, Patience suggested going to meet him there. 
Long Mark wheeled Ichabod into line, and they 
passed away from the miserable village. 


266 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Does it seem possible that one so beautiful and 
proud as Tulita could have sprung from such a 
source ? ” exclaimed Patience, as they rode away. 

There has been a white crow now and then ! ” 
answered Long Mark, sententiously. 

When they came up to old Ramon the girl 
saluted him cordially. ^^We have come to see 
Tulita, Ramon the Wise. May Ave do so ? ” 

That is as she wills.’' 

There was a deep gloom upon the old chiefs 
face, but Patience was not to be deterred by this. 

^^Will you tell me where she is?” 

In the mountains among the braves ! ” re- 
sponded the other, with anger and contempt. 

What is she doing there ? Which mountain ? ” 

^^She has been burying her dead. She is now 
haranguing the youths. She, a sqxiaw! and they 
men^ or should be ! ” 

^^She must, indeed, have greatly offended you 
that you should speak like that. You have always 
seemed to hold Tulita in highest respect. But I’m 
sure she means you nothing but good, and with 
your leave I’ll seek her there. Will you not kindly 
point the way ? ” 


FINDING rULITA. 


267 


He did so without showing sign of pleasure in 
the action, but he did, indeed, feel such. He hoped 
many things from the intercourse of Tulita with 
this rich man’s daughter, but the things he hoped 
all tended to material benefit. So did Tulita’s 
hopes, if by quite a nobler way. 

They found her where he had indicated, seated 
among a group of Indians, old and young, but all 
equally interested in the talk of this girl they 
each acknowledged as their princess. She was 
trying to incite them to action, peaceable and in- 
dustrious — to make them promise to abjure the 
fire-water,” which had wrought Gideon’s down- 
fall, and to look forward and toil for a time when 
they should cease to be the scorn of their white 
neighbors and become their envy. 

As Patience and Long Mark drew near, the con- 
trast they presented to the men about her pointed 
Tulita’s eloquent language with a fitting moral, 
and if Patience had so planned it she could not 
have come to the Indian maid at a more opportune 
moment. 

She heard and understood, from its finish, all the 
nature of Tulita’s speech, and springing lightly 


268 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


from Blanco’s back she held out her hands to that 
other girl, so like and yet so wholly unlike herself. 

The picture you draw is good, Tulita, my 
friend. Come with me. Live with me for a time 
and learn all that is to be learned. Afterward you 
and I together will make your picture real for all 
these, your own and my adopted brothers. Will 
you come ? ” 

Tulita cast one earnest glance upon the other’s 
face. Then she turned to the braves : — 

You have all heard her. The white man’s 
language is plain in your ears. She has called 
you brothers. Shall I go with her and learn of 
her how to keep the flocks and raise the crops that 
our people may have always food ? ” 

Go in peace, our princess. There is peace be- . 
tween us. We have said it!” 

^^But you, my brothers, will you do as I have 
asked you already? Will you hunt the game and 
till the fields, as you have knowledge, until I 
come? And when I come shall it be to find the 
tribe of Ouleon the Eagle Feather lying lower than 
he lies this day? or resting high above the valley 
of want and pain and — sin ? ” 


FINDING TULITA, 


269 


One, a man older than the rest, rose from the 
circle about the place and prostrated himself before 
her. 

^^Go in peace. Princess de la Vega. I, the oldest 
brave among them, will keep them to their 
pledge.” 

Farewell, for a time, my brothers.” 

Farewell.” 

Without another word Tulita sprang upon the 
back of a broncho standing near, and guided the 
animal close to Blanco’s side. 


CHAPTER XXV. 


EASTWARD, HO ! 


RS. RUTGER’S sense of the fitness of things 



^ ^ ^ received a slight shock when Patience and 
Long Mark came riding home that day, bringing 
Tulita with them, and the heiress of Santa Paula 
quietly remarked : I have brought me a sister. 
Cousin Hor tense. I hope you will welcome her, 
and love her as you do me.” 

The lady had fancied she was most cordially 
interested in the Indian question,” with a leaning 
toward affection for the much-discussed red man, 
yet when her young relative put a similar predilec- 
tion into actual practice it was, as Long Mark ex- 
pressed it, A black horse of quite another color.” 

Certainly,” she replied to Patience, but there 
had been more of confusion than warmth in her 
manner. Tulita in her buckskin attire, riding over 
the plains, seemed to the Easterner quite the cor- 


270 


EASTWARD, HO! 


271 


rect thing,” but the same Tulita, in the same gar- 
ments, seated opposite herself at table, gave her a 
very uncomfortable feeling — almost as if she her- 
self were a part of some great Wild West Show.” 

However, Tulita, with her native directness, 
solved this difficulty speedily: — 

^^Dear Patience, if I am to live with you, I 
must know exactly how? Am I to be your wait- 
ress, or — ” 

I have called you sister. I mean it. You are 
to be my equal in all things which I can control 
for you. A waitress is a servant, and I am too 
good an American ever to be served by a princess 
of the line ! Save in the service of love, which we 
will render toward one another.” 

Tulita stood earnestly regarding the eager, beau- 
tiful face of the generous white girl, saying this, 
and as Patience finished the Indian maid bent for- 
ward and touched the other’s golden head with 
her lips. 

^^With this I pledge myself to thee, daughter 
of my enemies, sister of my soul. In all that I 
can I will make myself like thee. Thou shalt not 
be ashamed of the friend thou hast chosen.” 


272 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


‘‘1 could never be anything but proud of you, 
Tulita/’ 

The princess smiled and arched her brows. 

^^Thy people will look with curiosity upon me, 
clothed with these I While I am with thee I must 
appear as thou dost.’' 

She pointed from her own clothing to that of 
Patience. 

Of course. If you will, I shall be so glad to 
have you. But, first of all, I want you to feel at 
ease and comfortable. Will you not dislike such 
gowns as I wear.” 

I shall hate them ! I shall be miserable in 
them. But what is a little discomfort of the body 
to the discomfort of the soul? No; if thou wilt 
give them to me — whatever is fitting — I will 
wear them, and learn to do so quickly.” 

^^But why, Tulita, do you use the ^thou’ and 
^ thee ’ to me and to nobody else here ? ” 

Dost thou not like it ? ” 

^^Yes. It’s quaint, and seems to set me apart 
especially for you.” 

The Indian girl clapped her hands softly, and a 
beautiful light shone in her dark eyes. 


EASTWARD, HO! 


273 


thou hast thyself said it. My people 
speak thus to one another, when there is closest 
love between them. Thus I spake to Ouleon. Thus 
old Kamon the Wise speaks to me. ‘ Thou ’ makest 
us — sisters in speech as in heart.’' 

Patience was silent. There was such a depth of 
feeling about this new sister ” that she was some- 
times startled, hut she slipped her arm affectionately 
around the princess’s waist and drew her away 
toward her own rooms, there to try on and select 
such clothing as would completely change Tulita’s 
appearance. Indeed, when the two appeared at din- 
ner, soon after, Mrs. Rutger was infinitely relieved to 
find that the Indian maiden, arrayed ^^as a civilized 
Christian should be,” was a very beautiful and 
queenly young person. A person that anybody, 
even Hortense Rutger, might be proud to chaperon. 

Indeed, it was quite wonderful how swiftly Tulita 
adapted herseK to all the Santa Paula ways. Her 
native intelligence, her early training at the mission 
school, where she and Ouleon had been for a time 
pupils, but most of all her intense desire to please 
Patience in all things, made her efforts successful 
in a wonderfully brief time. 


2 74 ^ DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

So that Mrs. Rutger had almost forgotten that 
the new member of the household was a sav- 
age/’ or that the smoothly running affairs of the 
household had ever been disturbed by the unusual 
events which have been narrated, when letters 
from home arrived and set her to reflecting how 
protracted her own visit to Santa Paula had been. 
Recalled by these to the necessity of a return 
eastward, she sought David Eliot in his library 
to lay the matter before him, and to expostulate 
— as she was daily moved to do — against his 
peculiar upbringing of his young daughter. 

^^For, David, it will certainly spoil her.” 

^^Beg pardon, Hortense, but it certainly will not.” 

There is no limit to your indulgence.” 

^^None whatever — so far as my ability goes.” 

^^This very morning I heard her ask you for a 
thousand dollars, and you gave it her without a 
question.” 

Surely. Why not?” 

A girl like that ! Scarce more than a child ! 
What can she know of money ? ” 

^^She fully knows its best value — the making 
of the world a happy place.” 


EASTWARD, HO! 


275 


Hortense gazed curiously upon her cousin, whose 
glance was through the window toward a group 
of vaqueros and Caballeros all mounted upon fine 
horses, with the ranchman’s daughter in the midst, 
also mounted and wearing that comfortable habit 
which gave freest motion to her supple form. With 
Tulita beside her, the girl was directing and ges- 
ticulating in the pretty, graceful manner natural 
to the Spanish half of her blood. 

I do not understand it. I came here to hold 
out the olive branch of forgiveness to this un- 
happy man, and he just utterly ignores the past. 
It’s terribly disconcerting to bask in the halo of 
my own goodness and generosity, as it were, and 
have him so blind to it all ! But I must cer- 
tainly do something for that child. She will be 
ruined, growing up — in such a fashion ! ” ran 
Mrs. Rutger’s thoughts. Aloud she said : But 

a thousand dollars ! Do you mind telling me 
what in the world she could do with such a sum 
— here ! ” 

^^My dear cousin, is there a spot on this planet 
where a thousand dollars cannot be used? I have 
yet to find it. But I’ll call Patience herself. We 


276 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 

never tell tales of each other, and maybe she will 
not care to disclose her purpose. Chi-is ! Ha, 
querida ! ” 

The daughter’s bright face turned instantly 
toward the window, and she waved her hand in 
response ; but she finished her directions to the 
men before she cantered up to the porch, and, 
dismounting, perched herself upon the broad ledge 
where her father’s arm rested. 

“Si, dad dear? What is it?” 

“ This good friend of ours thinks that I indulge 
you too much. Do you object to telling us what 
you did with the money I gave you this morn- 
ing?” 

“Why, mi padre? Do you care?” 

“ Oh, no ! But I do not wish to ^ spoil ’ you.” 

A look of perplexity flitted across the piquant 
face. “It is a case of the right and left hand 
not knowing each other’s business. Father David.” 

“ Then, of course, that settles it ; though ex- 
plain what you can to Cousin Hortense, please.” 
But a look of unspeakable tenderness was ex- 
changed between these two. 

The girl turned to Mrs. Rutger. “You see. 


EASTWARD, HO! 


277 


Cousin H or tense, it’s one of the things we never 
talk about — what we do in charity. I wanted it 
for somebody who hasn’t very much money. 
That’s all.” 

But, my child, a thousand dollars ! It is lav- 
ish. You will certainly be imposed upon, and 
continually. I assure you that a good business 
man would hesitate a long time before he ex- 
pended that sum on a single object, no matter 
what his income.” 

Would he ? How strange ! Yet dad says 
that I am an excellent business man ! Why, do 
you know that I take charge of all the stock ? 
— sheep, cattle, horses, and the men who attend 
them ; though Tulita is going to learn to help 
me. Dad couldn’t tell you, to save his life, how 
many bands and herds he owns ; but I keep a 
record of every creature, even to the lambs, calves, 
and colts. That is, I do know all this three times 
a year at the round-up.” 

What’s a ^ round-up,’ if you please ? ” 
u It’s — fun!” 

Mr. Eliot explained : In simple and literal Eng- 
lish, it is ^ taking account of stock.’ The men 


278 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

ride round the whole hacienda and corral the 
creatures ; then they are registered in each divi- 
sion-overseer’s book, and from that the permanent 
record is duly made ; so she knows exactly what 
will suit a buyer when she has occasion to sell 
a herd. The ^round-up’ is a busy time for her 
and a jolly one for the Caballeros. The affair 
ends with a festival, and their young mistress 
has instituted a series of prizes for the most help- 
ful employees, which they are all eager to obtain. 
The trouble with that part of the business, though, 
is that every cowboy and shepherd on the pay-roll 
comes in for some sort of present. So the prize 
idea is a sort of farce, after all.” 

‘‘No, dad; pardon me, but you misunderstand. 
The prizes and presents are quite distinct ; but it 
makes everybody happy to receive some little 
token, and it’s all part of the same business, you 
know.” 

“ What business, mi nina ? ” though he asked 
the question merely for Mrs. Rutger’s benefit. 

“ Why, you dear, obtuse padre ! what’s set you 
to asking foolish questions ? Ever since I was so 
high, what have you taught me was the real busi- 


EASTWARD, HO! 


279 


ness of life but doing kindness to somebody ? And 
now may I go ? I want to break that gray colt 
this morning — if he’ll let me. He’s to be Tii- 
lita’s, and almost as handsome as Blanco, I think. 
I feel for her exactly as I do for myself ; I want 
nobody’s hand but mine to touch a horse I’m going 
to ride, except, of course, to groom him.” With 
a nod for farewell, she sprang to her saddle and 
galloped away, Tulita following close behind. 

Mrs. Rutger’s eyes filled with sudden moisture. 
She had never seen any one like Patience, whose 
attitude toward life was like that of the sunshine 
toward the earth- — as unconscious and beneficent. 
How was it possible with such a father ? and how 
could David’s bearing be so noble and benignant? 
He seemed, indeed, like one who might be king ” 
of more precious things than silver — even of him- 
self. 

Then, as Patience disappeared, she asked, Has 
it been the child’s habit to go alone among these 
people ? ” 

Sometimes she was alone, sometimes old Gas- 
par was with her. Why, all of the boys feel it 
an honor to escort their little sehorita.” 


28 o 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


But how dare you allow it ? ” 

David Eliot turned a startled face toward the 
questioner, and there was more of sternness in his 
tone than she had heard before. She is as safe 
with any of them as she would be with me. The 
man does not live — certainly not at Santa Paula 
— who vrould injure her. From ’Frisco to Tia 
Juana the child is canonized, in human hearts if 
not in the calendar. But I am just now in per- 
plexity about her. Do you wish to help me by 
advice ? ” 

Certainly, if I can.” 

It is about Patience. Since that terrible thing 
happened to her — though I have no fear that she 
will ever again be imprisoned in a cavern — I feel 
unusually anxious about her, and this morning I 
have received a telegram which I must answer in 
person in Mexico. For several reasons it seems 
impossible to take her there at present, and, for 
the first time in her life, I must be separated for 
some time from my child. Could you stay here 
with her? or what shall I do with her?” 

too, have had news calling me home. Can 
•you trust her to me there ? ” ' 


EASTWARD, HO! 


281 


^^Are you — perfectly sure — that you wish it? 
Remember^ please, that at Santa Paula we value 
entire sincerity above everything else.” 

I surely do. I love the child.” 

Of course. Who does not ? She knows noth- 
ing but love. It is this which makes me anxious. 
You and I understand that, sunshiny though it is, 
there are still some dark spots in life. I do not 
wish Patience to stumble into them. In plain 
words, I left my old home in trouble. My daugh- 
ter must not hear of that mischance.” 

Hortense Rutger’s heart palpitated fiercely. The 
man’s directness of speech took her breath away. 
All her delicate beating about the bush had been 
of no avail, for he had gone straight to the mat- 
ter. When she recovered herself she replied, with 
great gentleness : — 

^^I am sure you may trust me for that. Don’t 
you know it was for this very thing I came to 
Santa Paula? I did not know whether you were 
rich or poor, good or bad ; a quarter of a century 
hides many things. But I wanted you to know 
before I died that I had forgiven all. So had my 
parents.” 


282 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


Thank you!'' David smiled; it almost seemed 
indulgently. Sometime, maybe, Patience shall hear 
the whole story. But, if ever, I prefer she shall 
do so from my own lips. If you can manage this 
it is all I ask.” 

^^It shall be as you wish. When do you leave?” 

^^As soon as possible. But don’t let this hasten 
your departure.” 

I should have gone before. You remember 
that I came for but two days, and I have stayed so 
long. I must go this week.” 

^Wery well. Patience shall go with you. But, 
will you also take Tulita?” 

^^Yes, if Patience wishes it. Tulita, in a civil- 
ized garb, is very interesting, and she has stately 
manners. But how will your daughter bear the 
separation from you? I never saw such filial de- 
votion as hers.” 

Querida and I are bonny comrades. Still, it 
will not be for long, and you need not dread a 
scene. The child has a royal nature.” 

So it proved. When the news was broken to 
her, without preface or softening. Patience cast one 
distressed glance into her father’s eyes, but seeing 


EASTWARD, HO! 


283 


there the same smiling serenity which had ever 
responded to her she rose to the occasion and 
smiled bravely back. Two days later, with all 
that she loved best behind her, the girl sat speed- 
ing rapidly eastward in her father’s special car, 
while another fast train bore him farther and 
farther away. 

Mrs. Rutger was solicitous in attentions. She 
even suggested that if Patience would feel better 
to cry, she should permit herself the luxury, for 
her composure seemed unnatural. I shall not 
mind, my dear. Just have a good cry, and you’ll 
feel better.” 

Sha’n’t you ? I thought you’d be disturbed. 
But it wouldn’t do any good. The ache is too 
deep down. However, if you won’t be lonely, 
Tulita and I will go through the train while 
you’re taking a nap.” 

‘^Go, by all means. It will amuse you. Only 
take Clotilde with you, please. I feel responsible 
for your welfare.” 

The two Californian girls exchanged puzzled 
glances. Clotilde ! Why, certainly, if you wish 
it.” 


284 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Mrs. Rutger went to sleep. Her nap lasted for 
some moments ; then an unusual sound awoke her. 
It was unmistakably an infant’s cry. She sprang 
to her feet, wondering what had befallen her. 

Why, Clotilde ! what is the matter ? What in 
the world is that?” 

babby, ma’am, as Miss Patience was afther 
biddin’ me fetch intil yez.” 

A hahy ! Where did she get it ? Where is 
she now ? Quick ! answer! ” 

In the towerist car, ma’am. By the same 
token, it’s a mis’able place ; eleven babbies all 
cryin’ to oncet, an’ a big red-hot stove in each 
end of the same, an’ the stench o’ the* coffee 
b’ilin’ over 1 I’m thankful the day ’t I’m a leddy’s 
maid, an’ not no pore crayther a-travellin’ second 
class.” 

But ivJiose baby is it ? What is it doing here f ” 
Sure, it’s chryin’ here it’s doin’ the minute, 
an’ it’s the widdy’s babby. Hush up til yez now, 
me darlint 1 ” 

^^But why should — ” 

Patience answered the unfinished question in 
person. Oh, Cousin Hortense ! I’m so glad I 


EASTWARD, HO! 285 

went ! This poor woman has no mattress nor 
anything for her berth, and the baby so frail. 
Isn’t it lovely that we have this great car all to 
ourselves, so that we can make her comfortable?” 

Pos — si — bly,” said Mrs. Rutger, coldly. 

Why, aren’t you pleased ? ” in a tone of sur- 
prise. 

‘^That depends,” answered the chaperon. Then 
she turned to the woman. “My young cousin is 
very impulsive and kind-hearted ; she does not 
always consider what she does. Are you travelling 
alone ? Is the little one seriously ill ? ” 

The mother caught her breath with a sob. 
Patience’s tender sympathy had banished her self- 
control. “Yes, I’m alone. We went to California 
for my husband’s health, but too late. He died 
last week, and I — I fear I neglected the baby 
sometimes. I feared he would die, too ; but he 
is better. I am fully aware that I am intruding, 
though the young lady was so urgent ; and, indeed, 
she sent the child in ahead, so I followed. Of 
course I will take him back.” 

Patience’s eyes opened to their widest extent. 
They were troubled and indignant, but slie said 


286 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


nothing, — only cast one searching glance into Mrs. 
Rutger’s face, and then began moving her own 
belongings from an easy-chair, while she rang 
vigorously for the porter. 

The baby stayed in the Santa Paula car for two 
days, during which time he had plenty of com- 
pany. Old men and women, young men and 
maidens, all with some infirmity of purse or per- 
son, were gathered into the sumptuous carriage 
by the indefatigable benevolence of the Silver 
King’s” daughter. The girl herself passed most 
of her time elsewhere, leaving the happy Tulita 
to brood over and mother ” the iwoihjees — 
grateful for something to do. But Patience moved 
about from end to end of the long train, chatting 
in the sleepers,” playing checkers with invalids 
in the tourist,” inspecting the mail-car, tipping 
the brakemen, riding on the engine, buying the 
train-boy’s stock, and generally making the trip a 
memorable one to every one aboard. 

At the end of two days the special ” was side- 
tracked by request of the owner,” and Mrs. 
Rutger sat dazed and speechless concerning this 
last freak ” of her charge, and beginning to 


EASTWARD, HO! 


287 


realize that she had assumed the responsibility of 
something more hazardous than the traditional 
white elephant.” 

However, the elephant ” was perfectly capable 
of taking all responsibility upon itself, and quietly 
announced : — 

I find that the doctors told baby’s mother to 
take him to the hot-springs here, and he would 
be cured of his hip-disease, and as she is so poor 
and discouraged, I’m just going with them to the 
sanitarium and settle them comfortably for sev- 
eral months. I’ll pay her board beforehand, and 
then her mind will be at rest. Isn’t it delightful 
to think we found her and may help her to save 
her baby ! ” 

H’mm ! ” replied Hortense. It was all which 
she was just then capable of saying. 

^^Clotilde may go with me. She’s useful as a 
baby-carrier, though not for much else. Tulita is 
willing to stay with you, and you’ll be as cozy 
here as in a hotel. Travelling is such fun ! Dad 
said I’d be sure to find something to interest me 
on this trip because I always have on our other 
journeys. Bless his dear, prophetic soul ! ” 


CHAPTER XXYI. 


SOME NEW YORK EXPERIENCES. 

HE travellers reached New York at last, and it 



was with a sigh of profound relief that the 
lady sat down in her own drawing-room, and re- 
flected that here, at least, she would be mistress of 
the situation. 

Truly, you must have come home in delight- 
ful comfort,’' said the smiling housekeeper. I 
was very pleased to get your telegram telling of 
the private car and all that.” 

Private car, indeed ! I assure you, Boden, 
that if I ever cross the continent again. I’ll go 
with the ^ tourist ’ lot ; then I shall know where 
I am. But this Patience is — well, I’ll leave you 
to find out for yourself what she is.” 

I’m sure, ma’am, she has a sweet face ; and 
it will be good to have a pair of young things 
like her and her maid — ” 


288 


SOME NEW YORK EXPERIENCES. 289 

Maid, Boden ! That’s an Indian princess ! 
Oh, it’s the genuine Wild West, I assure you!” 

Mercy on us I but they’ll do to keep things 
from getting too quiet in the house.” 

I’ll guarantee that ! But she is sweet, our 
girl, and she’ll keep things stirring — surely. The 
other is just as sedate and womanly and adoring 
as if she were sixty instead of eighteen. She’ll be 
a help, only she’s Indian. I can’t help loving 
Patience; but — ” 

But what, ma’am ? ” 

The days of our peace are over.” 

So, indeed ! Yet you don’t seem right sorry.” 

That’s just the worst of it, Boden. No matter 
what she does — and some of the things are posi- 
tively outrageous — I can’t be sorry. Where is 
she — they — now ? ” 

Clotilde showed them to their rooms to change 
their gowns.” 

Depend upon it, she isn’t there now — that is. 
Patience. You’d better look after her, and then 
we’ll have lunch. Send Clotilde to me, please.” 

But Patience saved Boden trouble by entering 
at that moment. She looked more disturbed than 


290 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Hortense had ever yet seen her. Why, cousin, 
I thought you said you lived alone with your 
servants.’’ 

And so I do.” 

Then you must have guests without knowing 
it, and I’m selfish enough to be sorry. I hoped 
you’d go about the city with me at once; now, I 
suppose, you’ll have to stay at home.” 

Are there guests here, Boden ? ” 

Not a soul, ma’am.” 

What do you mean, then, dear ? Where did 
you see anybody?” 

Upstairs, on every floor. In some of the 
rooms there were only one or two, but in others 
ever so many people. I didn’t think they had 
much cordiality of manner, but dad says not to 
expect that in the East.” 

Patience Eliot, have you been upstairs?” 

^^Why, certainly. I was eager to see all my 
new home. You see, it is to be home for a while, 
and I was never in a New York home before. 
We’ve stopped at hotels the few times we’ve been 
here. Dad says he had his darkest days in this 
city, when he was young and poor, and he never 


SOME NEW YORK EXPERIENCES. 29 1 

stays here if he can help it. Pardon me if I did 
wrong. I thought you wouldn’t mind. All Santa 
Paula belongs to our guests when we have them, 
you know.” 

‘‘ But, my dear, there isn’t any ^ upstairs ’ to this 
house, in your sense. It’s an ^ apartment.’ ” 

An — apartment — house ? ” 

Yes,” whereupon the lady explained — as she 
thought, clearly — all the advantages of the form 
of dwelling she tenanted. But don’t mind about 
the matter at all. It was a mistake, and will 
soon be set right. I will explain in a note to 
each householder.” 

But, dear cousin, why didn’t you tell dad ? 
I’m sure he thought you had kll the money you 
needed, or he’d have given you some. Then you 
needn’t have lived so any longer.” 

Now what in the world do you mean ? ” de- 
manded the astonished woman. 

I’ve always felt so sorry for the tenement- 
house dwellers. I’ve read about them in the maga- 
zines ; and I didn’t dream that you — ” 

For goodness’ sake ! waste no more pity on 
me. I’m not rich, measured by your standard; 


292 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST 


but here my husband was considered a wealthy 
man, and he left me his property. Is it pity for 
me distresses you ? Quite a novel idea ! For the 
use of this ^ tenement/ how much do you suppose 
I pay?” 

‘^I’m sure I don’t know. It’s not very big.” 

^^You are right there. Nothing seems ^very 
big’ after the West; but for this humble home 
I pay the trifling sum of eight thousand dollars 
per year. I live in it from preference, for it 
saves labor and care, and insures me excellent 
service. Each family is on a separate floor, and 
nobody knows his neighbor unless he desires. 
That will explain the Eastern want of cordiality 
you observed. In future, therefore, dear, just con- 
fine your explorations to the fifteen or sixteen 
rooms — rather pretty, I call them — of my double 
apartment, all on one floor, and you’ll be kindly 
treated. My dear little cousin, you have a deal 
to learn.” 

Forthwith the girl set about learning it. The 
fact that they had been travelling for many days 
did not seem suflicient reason to her for spend- 
ing a long sunshiny afternoon indoors; so, im- 


SOME NEW YORK EXPERIENCES. 


293 


mediately after lunch, in company with Tulita 
and under escort of Mrs. Boden, she set out on 
her explorations of the town. 

Meanwhile, Mrs. Rutger sat down at her desk 
to read and answer the letters which awaited her 
arrival. The very first was from David Eliot, 
containing some directions regarding his daughter, 
which, as Hortense amusedly realized, but added 
to her care while seeking to relieve it. The letter 
concluded : — 

darling has been accustomed to doing, banking 
business, so far as a woman needs understand it, ever since 
she was ten years old. There is, practically, no limit to her 
wealth ; and as the mines from which the greater part of 
it is obtained were found on the land she inherits from 
her mother, I am anxious she should feel it almost com- 
pletely under her own control. Kittle & Gasseling, Wall 
Street, are my Eastern agents, and they will honor her 
drafts to any amount. I foresee the whimsical distress on 
your kindly face, but I assure you that you need have no 
anxiety on this particular subject. Patience is so simple 
and sincere that she will not be as easily imposed upon as 
you imagine. Begging pardon for the remark, she will 
detect deceit more readily than you or I, because her intui- 
tions are fresher and keener. The mistakes she does make 
will teach her wisdom in the best way to learn it, and I 
think you will find her amenable to any reasonable re- 


294 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


straint. She will receive a journal-letter from me, semi- 
weekly, and as she can telegraph me at any moment, I 
hope that she will feel our separation as little wearisome as 
possible. 

‘‘ In conclusion, hoping that my little girl will make you 
so happy during the time she is with you that you will 
have to follow her back to the West, I remain your obliged 
friend and foster-brother, David Eliot.’’ 

To which, as follows: — 

m 

“Dear David: Patience will tell you how we crossed 
the continent. I couldn’t. But we are at home. At least, 
I am. Your remarkable daughter is, at present, somewhere 
in town. I allowed her, or she allowed herself, to go out 
under the wing of that staidest of matrons, Mrs. Boden, our 
old housekeeper, whom you remembered. I expect her back 
when she is ready to come — referring to Patience. She is 
like your Western country — unique, irresistible in its fasci- 
nation. That’s Patience. Yes ; I have most decidedly fallen 
in love with her. Spasmodically I call her Patience ; 
but habitually ^ Darling,’ which explains the situation. 
If she were not so pure and true I should be afraid of 
her, for I have become as wax in her hands. She fondly 
imagines I’m like herself, and how can I bear to unde- 
ceive her ? 

“That banking business is superlative folly, even if she 
were a dozen heiresses in one. I warn you that I wash 
my hands of any responsibility in the extravagances she 
will surely commit. When I asked you to let her come 


o 


SOME NEW YORK EXPERIENCES, 




295 


home with me, little did I dream what I was undertaking, 
but since I have her I am heartily sorry for you because 
you have her not. Only whenever you think of our little 
establishment please to do so as of Patience, Tulita, and the 
chaperon — not the chaperon and Patience. 

^^For yourself success and a speedy return. For all con- 
cerned I’ll do the best I can ; but, forestalling failure, please 
remember that I am mortal. Hortense.” 


Business and letters despatched, Mrs. Kutger 
turned to what she called her ^^dear, dirty, wide- 
awake old New York papers,” and the loyal 
citizeness rapidly ran the damp folded sheets 
through her slim fingers. Opening the first one, 
she nearly dropped it with a scream. There, 
staring up into her aristocratic face, were the 
scare” head-lines: — 

Arrival of the American Princess, the only Daugh- 
ter of Bonanza Eliot, the Silver King — Steps 

OUT OF HER SPECIAL Car AT THE GrAND 

Central — Her Chaperon the 

Wealthy Widow, Mrs. ^ 

Hortense Eutger. 

Her Personal Attendant also a Princess, of Indian 
Blood — Now let the Hospitable East do 
Honor to the Beautiful West!” 


296 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

An hour afterward she still sat gazing into space 
with all the other newspapers unread before her, 
when a hasty knock announced the coming of Mrs. 
Boden, who scarcely waited the summons to enter 
before she was in her mistress’s presence. 

‘^Well, what other distressing thing has hap- 
pened?” meekly asked that afflicted person. 

Oh ! no, ma’am ; not exactly distressing. But 
the young lady and Dundreary had a little — well, 
disagreement. That’s all.” 

That’s all! Of what nature? Where is she?” 
couldn’t say just where now, ma’am, but I 
don’t doubt she’ll come home all right.” 

Oh 1 Boden, that girl ! ” 

Indeed, ma’am, she seems a capable sort, and 
quite decided and clear-headed about what she 
wishes to do.” 

Humph. Have her wiles conquered your sense 
of propriety, too ? ” 

Wiles isn’t the word, ma’am. If she was 
wily I’d be a granite wall against her; yet she’s 
so honest, and so sure a body feels the same as 
herself that she melts me quite down.” 

^^Tell me all that has happened.” 


SOME NEW YORK EXPERIENCES. 


297 


^^Only this, ma’am. We drove first to the 
Park, and Miss Patience didn’t care for that. 
^ It’s like the country and I want to see the 
town,’ said she. So we turned and went down 
the avenue, not meaning. I’m sure, to go below 
Madison Square. She liked that better though 
she didn’t think the houses extra fine. ^We have 
as good in ’Frisco, and I always liked adobes best; 
but where are the slums,” Dundreary ? ’ said she. 

^ I don’t know, miss, and if I did — ’ he be- 
gan, but she cut him short. 

^ If you did, and I bade you drive there, you 
would go. However, there isn’t time to inspect 
them fully to-day, so it doesn’t matter. But, oh, 
Tulita ! those roses ! They might have bloomed 
in a Santa Paula garden. I must get some for 
Cousin Hortense.’ 

^^With that out she sprang and me and the 
Indian girl followed after. One as wild as the 
other over the things heaped in the florist’s win- 
dows, but I thinking to look out for them both, 
as you wished.” 

I iitiderstand. I, too, have had my experi- 
ences. Go on.” 


298 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

^^Well, ma’am, the horses are over-high from 
being idle so long. They didn’t like standing, 
and to steady them the coachman touched them 
once or twice with his whip. Which, Miss 
Patience said, wouldn’t help matters. Betwixt 
her watching him and the beasts prancing. Dun- 
dreary got nervous. I could see that. And what 
does the young lady then hut spy a couple of 
ragged children staring in at the shop door as 
she and Tulita came out with their arms full of 
the choicest flowers Thornley had. They looked 
at her eager like, so she stopped short. 

Would you like some nosegays, little ones?’ 
said she. Of course they would : so she gave 
them a lot of the prettiest ^ Jacks.’ Which at 
once made her think of something else. 

Would you like to take a ride?’ she asked 
them ; and if you’ll believe me, ma’am, before I 
could pull myself together, she had bidden me 
come home in the car, while she and Tulita 
bundled those youngsters into the carriage. Next, 
I saw her jump up beside Dundreary and coolly 
take the reins out of his hands. ^If you please, 
coachman. I’ll give you a lesson in driving,’ said 


SOME NEW YORK EXPERIENCES. 


299 


slie, and brought the team round in a jiffy, 
heads Parkward again. Last I saw: there was 
Tulita sitting on the back seat, with an arm 
around each little beggar girl, Miss Patience on 
the box, cooing to the horses as if they were 
babies — getting them into their paces, too — 
while Dundreary sat gaping and staring, like he 
didn’t know whether he’d best stick to his post 
or clear out from it. And Miss Patience had 
made out to tell me, between whiles, that after 
she’d exercised the horses she’d go around to the 
stable and see them properly groomed, which, she 
says. Dundreary neglects his business shameful.” 

When Boden’s recital was ended, Mrs. Rutger’s 
face was a study. Indignation, amazement, and 
apprehension chased one another swiftly, but 
anxiety remained. Patience might understand 
horses,” out there on her native plains : but for 
such a chit of a girl to drive a fractious team 
through the streets of New York, amid the nerve- 
distracting elevated trains and treacherous trolley 
cars — well ! At that very moment, poor David’s 
idol might already have met her death! 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


GIVING AND THIEVING. 

‘‘CN verdad! I wouldn’t keep that Dundreary 
^ another day, if I were you, Cousin Hortense. 
He doesn’t know enough to drive a burro.” 

Patience, are you alive ? ” cried ^fl^s. Rutger, 
running to clasp the girl in her arms. 

“Why, certainly! Why shouldn’t I be?” 

“But, Patience, you don’t apparently understand. 
It’s an unheard-of thing you’ve done. You’ve 
frightened me almost to death. And as for your 
father — what would he have thought?” 

“ The same that I do. Though he doesn’t pro- 
fess to know as much about horses as I do, for he 
wasn’t brought up among them in the same way — 
which was his misfortune.” 

“ My child, are you out of your senses ? Just 
listen while I explain.” And very gently and 
kindly the long-suffering chaperon tried to set 


300 


GIVING AND THIEVING. 


301 


before Patience, and the equally attentive Tulita, 
the changed conditions of the life the former 
had come to experience, and that because she was 
so perfectly natural and sincere she would be con- 
sidered a savage ” by the society she ought to 
adorn. 

Patience sighed her perplexity. She had never 
heard of dissecting ^‘happiness,” and ‘^environ- 
ment” was a cabalistic sound in her ears, but she 
understood her cousin’s kindness. She smiled, 
kissed her chaperon, and went away to her own 
bandbox of a chamber to write to dad. 

There, too, she found Tulita, sitting with an 
open book upon her knee, and poring over its 
pages as if oblivious to everything else. 

“Tulita, my sister, are you going to be happy 
here ? ” 

“I shall be happy anywhere with thee. Pa- 
tience.” 

“ H’mni ! That doesn’t sound as if you were 
very hilarious. But if you could have the thing 
you wish most in this world just now, what would 
it be?” 

“I should like best to go to that place — like 


302 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


the old mission it was, something. As we drove 
up into the place called the Park, we passed it. 
Thou wert busy with thy horses, but — I just 
looked.” 

'^You are always ^just looking,’ dearie, and 
nothing escapes those dark eyes of yours. I see 
things, too, but such di:fferent ones from what you 
do. But, about the mission place?” 

^^It was richer and grander than the mission, 
but it was like it. The gates of the wall were 
open, and in the garden were persons walking and 
some were old and gray-headed. These had 
many young girls and children, and they were all 
studying — studying out of books. Already, I 
doubt not, they know far more than Tulita, yet 
still they studied. And — I envied them. If I 
had my wish, thou and I would be there.” 

Tulita, you shall have your wish. You shall 
go there.” 

How can that be ? ” 

Easily The place you saw was a school or 
college. You will have a chance to learn many 
things in it, and as soon as you wish you shall 
go. Even I am not going to be any too comfort- 


GIVING AND THIEVING. 


303 


able and happy amid all this fol-de-rol of ^society/ 
and for you — it will be torment. Anyhow^ it is 
but for a little while. When dad comes for us 
we’ll go home and begin our work for your peo- 
ple together. Meanwhile, you shall certainly go 
to school. I’d hate it, but I’m not you, and we 
can each be just ourselves and keep on loving 
each other all the same. I’ll have it fixed so I 
can see you every day. Either I’ll go there or 
you shall come here. Cousin Hortense will help 
us, I’m sure. And so your wish is fulfilled.” 

It was all done as Patience promised. The 
more readily, no doubt, because Mrs. Eutger ap- 
proved and stood re sponsible '•to the instructors of 
the school Tulita had herself selected, and which 
was one of the very finest in the country. The 
lady felt that it was an admirable solution of a 
social problem which had confronted her. Patience 
was to meet, as far as was right for her age, 
her equals in society.” Yet those who would 
be proud to know David Eliot’s daughter would 
probably draw the line at an obscure Indian girl, 
no matter how proud she were ; and Patience had 
already shown, upon several occasions, that when 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


304 

she called Tulita sister/’ she meant it to its full- 
est meaning. 

Now, it happened, that Mrs. Eutger was not 
the only person who read with annoyance that 
startling announcement of her return to town. 
A lounger in a city park picked up a discarded 
copy of the same newspaper and remarked with 
emphasis, ’Tain’t a fair divvy ! ” Then he 
folded and placed the sheet in such a way within 
his ragged pocket that the street number of the 
wealthy widow was handily accessible. 

On that night following Tulita’ s departure for 
the school. Patience Eliot was awaked from a de- 
lightful dream of orange groves and fragrant vine- 
yards by hearing a stealthy sound in her room. 
For one instant her heart beat with true feminine 
timidity; the next she had taken herself in hand 
with that readiness for emergencies to which she 
had been trained. 

She had gone to bed with her one window wide 
open. Through it the light from the street shone 
sufficiently to show her a rough-looking fellow 
fumbling about her dressing-table. 

The sight was like a spur to a spirited horse, 


GIVING AND THIEVING. 


305 


and she noiselessly drew herself up in bed. Then, 
from under her pillow, she produced two articles 
not commonly included in the furnishings of a 
maiden’s bedchamber. 

The fumbling at the toilet-stand increased. 
From undue potations, or some other unknown 
cause, grown clumsily careless and noisy, the 
burglar pulled out a drawer and stooped to ex- 
amine its contents. Instantly there followed a 
swish of something through the air, a crash of 
costly ornaments, and the intruder lay on his 
back — choking to death. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

A LITTLE MORNING TALK. 

QO he feared, and that it would be death, cer- 
^ tainly, when his protruding eyes beheld the 
dainty and deadly little revolver which Patience’ 
brown hand held steadily before them. 

Lie still ! ” 

Gasp, gurgle, protest, and a vain attempt to 
loosen the coil from his throat ; then the ruffian 
was back on the floor, and the girl was binding 
his arms with a slip-noose, strong as steel and 
delicate as silk. A second later she had sprung 
to the bell and an electric peal rang through the 
whole apartment. Then she stood guard over him 
till help came. 

Boden had more composure than any of them. 
It was Boden who summoned the police, relieved 
Patience from charge of the anarchist — whose im- 


306 


A LITTLE MORNING TALK. 307 

patience could not tarry the slow upheaval of 
society to make a square divvy/’ and catechised 
everybody. 

For goodness’ sake, dear miss, where did you 
get that curious rope, and why ? And a revolver f 
My, my ! It’s glad I am you happened to have 
it, but I never knew a real young lady — ” 

^^ And all other kinds of young ladies,” cried 
Reuben, the butler, ungallantly. “ They wer’ a 
callin’ her ^ princess,’ in the noospaper the night, 
and it’s royal she is ! But, that same as Boden 
here, I saw never a rope like that.” 

It’s a lariat, riata, what you will. Old vaquero 
Carlos made it for me, and it took the prize for 
exquisite workmanship. See ? It is of horsehair, 
and most beautifully fine. Dad advised me to 
keep it under my pillow at night in case of fire, 
of which he is always a little afraid in a city. 
It was Carlos himself taught me to throw it. He 
is very skilful with a riata, and I should have 
done better if I’d had more room.” 

“ You have done excellently well. Allow me to 
congratulate you ! ” said the civil policeman, who 
had taken the burglar in charge. ^'A little ^more 


3o8 a daughter of the west. 

room/ and I think this man’s case would have 
been settled for him.” 

‘^Well, I hope they’ll not be hard upon him. 
Dad says that we must always keep and enforce 
the laws ; that it is lifelong regret if one does 
not; so I suppose he will have to go to prison. 
But if he’s so poor, and will promise to give up 
thieving, I’ll set him up in some small business 
where he can make an honest living as soon as 
he gets out again.” 

Whe-e-w ! That’s not what I’d do. Come on, 
my man ! ” cried the policeman. 

The next morning’s papers bristled with the 
news, and the gleeful reporters hailed the advent 
of the American princess” as a godsend to 
Gotham. The utmost Mrs. Rutger could do was 
to deny herself and cousin to all interviewers, 
little dreaming that the silent Reuben was glory- 
ing in the pluck” of his young lady, and giving 
the matter all publicity possible — to the ' same 
news-gatherers, below stairs. 

For several days after this exciting night Hor- 
tense insisted upon her charge ‘^resting” in the 
retirement of her own home, going out only for a 


A LITTLE MORNING TALK. 


309 


daily drive and to test the skill of a new coach- 
man, on trial to succeed Dundreary. But seeing 
that the girl chafed under this unusual restraint, 
and believing that the subject of dress was one to 
interest any feminine creature, she called Patience 
into her boudoir to talk about clothes. 

For I noticed that you brought but one rather 
small trunk with you, so I suppose you intended 
getting all new things here.” 

I intended nothing. That is, I had thought 
nothing at all about it. It’s such a trifle.” 

Trifle ? Why, my dear little cousin, the art of 
dressing is the most serious study of most of our 
modern women. It is one which you, preeminently, 
should consider, since you are able to bring it to 
perfection. Indeed, I thought you had done so, for 
though I have seen you wear but few gowns, they 
have been remarkably tasteful and appropriate.” 

Patience sighed. Existence, as presented to her 
by this society matron, was a great bother. 

Dad says it is foolishness to have more clothes 
than one needs. I’m sorry if you are disappointed 
in the number I own, and I’ll write for more at 
once if you’ll tell me what to get.” 


310 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

suppose you could safely order from Worth 
what you want,” observed the lady, musingly. 

“From a — foreigner? Not I, indeed!” 

“ Bless your heart, when I can accomplish the 
purchase of a Worth costume I feel very well satis- 
fied, I assure you.” 

“ But, beg pardon, it seems you ought to feel 
ashamed. Caramba! If I don’t consider that the 
country which is good enough to give me a home 
is also good enough to furnish the trumpery 
covering for my body I must be* disloyal, in 
truth.” 

“ Patience, we’ll send to Paris for you. Loyalty 
has nothing to do with dress.” 

“ Has it not ? It seems to me it has everything. 
I was born an American. Every comfort I enjoy 
is American, and every dollar I own came out of 
America’s soil or industries. All I can do to show 
my appreciation of all this is to be American 
in every thought, word, and deed. You know what 
dad is. They tell me he is one of the richest men 
in the world. Well, when he had finished his 
collegiate course he had paid out the last dollar of 
his inheritance, and was as poor as any shepherd 


A LITTLE MORNING TALK. 31 i 

on Santa Paula Ranch. Oughtn’t he to he proud 
of and grateful to his native land? — as he is.” 

Tell me what you know about his early days 
after he went West, dear.” 

^^With pleasure. The story isn’t so much in the 
telling, only in its being true. After he left your 
father’s bank — odd, that I didn’t know about you 
for so long ! — he went to California. He was a 
newspaper reporter for two years. Then he got 
work as a ploughboy, afterward as a caballero on 
Santa Paula. Only it wasn’t Santa Paula then, 
but Todos Santos — the Ranch of all Saints. It 
was my grandmother’s property, but not one-tenth 
as large as it is now, and she lived there with 
Mama, her only daughter. Dad and Mama fell in 
love with each other, and abuela (grandmother) 
liked him, too. So they were married, and dad 
changed the name of the hacienda, because, he 
said, the ^one saint he had found was enough for 
him.’ Then abuela died, and I was born, and 
mamma died, too, when I was a year old; and — 
that’s all. Only some of the old people about the 
place think dad is a real magician, because ^every- 
thing he touches turns to. gold.’ But it is only 


312 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

that he himself is so good and noble that he has 
the wealth given him. He tells me that I hold 
such a grand trust I must never rest in my en- 
deavor to discharge it worthily.” 

Hortense was silent. Was it possible that a 
man could so far outgrow a dishonorable past that 
he could live such a life and instill such a principle 
as this ? Then she asked, About your education, 
where have you studied ? ” 

At home. Mostly with dad. I am almost fitted 
for college, but he doesn’t wish me to enter till 
I am twenty-one. He thinks I will be mature 
enough by that time to appreciate knowledge — 
book knowledge.” 

^‘But did you never have any teachers except 
my cousin?” 

have had a half-dozen governesses and two 
tutors. But we couldn’t keep them. One of the 
governesses was afraid of tarantulas ; and one was 
cranky and wouldn’t teach me according to dad’s 
rules ; and one tried to flirt — yes, she did ! — with 
my dad David. En verdad ! You may believe 
she didn’t tarry at Santa Paula! But the three 
pretty ones married Caballeros and dad gave each 


A LITTLE MORNING TALK. 


313 

of them a little home. Then he sent East for 
tutors, and the first one had the asthma, so dad 
sent him to San Diego to manage a raisin ranch 
and get well. The last one stuck to the books for 
two weeks, then he pitched them all down and 
told dad he couldn’t stand it. That he’d been shut 
up in schools and colleges for ten years and he’d 
never known what real life was till he came to 
Santa Paula ; that he wanted to get out into the 
sunshine and stay there for the rest of his life. 
So dad set him to irrigating, and tackled the teach- 
ing himself.” 

Hortense looked at her watch. ^^For goodness’ 
sake, child! The morning has gone and we’ve 
settled nothing about your clothes.” 

‘‘ Oh 1 that’s no matter. Just tell me what I 
need and I’ll order it. Dad had some models of 
my figure made, such as modistes use, and there is 
one at the largest store in San Francisco and one 
in Boston. All I have to do is to write — ^and 
they do the rest.’ ” 

How delightful ! and — easy 1 and — expen- 
sive 1 ” 

It is convenient. But, now, if you are willing. 


314 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


I would like my lunch, for I’m going to the circus 
this afternoon.” 

The circus ! Going — to — the — circus ! ” 
gasped the scandalized matron, and sank back in 
her chair. 

^^Yes. I advertised for all the newsboys in the 
city to meet me at the door. I bought up all the 
disengaged seats in the house — practically all of 
them — three days ago.” 

Hortense Rutger actually fainted. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


THE BEST OF THE ELIOTS. 

HEN Mrs. Rutger recovered her senses Boden 



and Clotilde were both attending her; and 
at first she failed to realize why she was lying on 
the lounge, her face deluged with cologne. When 
she did remember she nearly fainted again. 

Then she groaned. Where is she now?’’ 

Gone. She called me first and said we were 
to tell you she was sorry you objected, that she 
wouldn’t wait for lunch, and if she had thought 
about it in time she would have talked it over with 


you. 


^^And talked me over, too, I suppose she thinks. 
But — circus ! Oh, Boden ! ” 

^^As it was,” resumed the other, gently, ^^she said 
she ^couldn’t break her word. She’d never again 
be able to look a newsboy in the face if she lied 
to him.’ That was her way of putting it, ma’am. 


316 


3i6 a daughter of the west. 

But the performance will be over and she be at 
home long before the dinner hour. Besides — ” 
Then seeing the distress in her mistress’s face the 
housekeeper paused. 

Besides, what ? Boden, let me know the worst 
at once.” 

^^Well, it isn’t so ^w^orst,’ as I think. It’s right 
down generous and thoughtful. She dotes on 
newsboys, I do believe. She is always buying out 
their stock of papers and giving them back to be 
sold over again. And she got the reporter to help 
her.” 

^^Wha-at? Who-o?” 

^^In the Park, ma’am. There was a sick-looking 
fellow there one morning and she heard him cough. 
Then she went and spoke to him and found out 
that he’d been ill and lost his place ; and he ^ didn’t 
have strength enough to hustle any more, and the 
newspaper man who can’t hump himself had bet- 
ter pass in his checks.’ She sat down by him and 
talked to him a few minutes ; and she told him 
that her father owned two newspapers in California, 
and if he’d write an article she’d send it and get it 
printed, and would ‘ pay him magazine rates for 


THE REST OF THE ELIOTS. 317 

it.’ Does seem as if slie knew the most about 
every sort of thing going, doesn’t it? 

^^Well, about the reporter. It’d a done your 
heart good to have seen his face light up ! 

be grateful to you,’ says he, and then he 
looked doubtful like ; ^ for I’ve a wife and little 
boy depending on me.’ 

In a moment it came to her, and she just 
clapped her hands like the simple young thing she 
is. ^ Look here ! ’ said she, ^ I want to take the 
newsboys to the circus. I’ve been talking with 
some of them and they’re all longing to go, but 
the poor little chaps can’t afford it. Now,’ said 
she, ^ do you think your wife would go with me 
and help me? I’m David Eliot’s daughter — you 
must have heard of him — and I mention it just 
to let you know that the money part of it is all 
right.’ 

I tell you, ma’am, he fell in with it at once. 
Miss Patience says it was the reporter notion of 
^getting into a beat,’ and she laughed like any- 
thing. ^ Dad was a newspaper man,’ said she, ^ and 
don’t you be afraid I’ll give it away to anybody 
else ! You just buy up the seats and advertise for 


3i8 a daughter of the west. 

the boys and attend to that part of the business, 
and I’ll give you a check for the expense and your 
trouble.’ 

^^And so, you see, the reporter and his wife are 
bound to take care of her. She said she was going 
to send them out to California, if they’d go, where 
he’d get well and her father would give him plenty 
of work, as soon as this affair is off her hands.” 

^^Why didn’t you tell me this, Boden, since you 
knew it all along?” 

^^Well, you see, ma’am, I was afraid you’d put 
a stop to it.” 

Boden, you may go now. Clotilde will attend 
to me,” said the mistress, with some sternness. 

An hour before dinner Patience returned. She 
was so radiant that her cousin could not but admire 
the sparkling creature, though she tried to veil 
her admiration under a cold stare. 

I never had such a good time in my life 1 ” 
cried the girl. Dear little fellows! I’d like to 
take every newsboy in town out to California and 
give him a burro or a broncho. They’re all so 
jolly and smart ! I wish that you had been there, 
and I hope that you are better.” 


THE REST OF THE ELIOTS. 319 

Thank you. But, Patience, I must speak to 
you seriously. You must not do these unwarrant- 
able things. For your own good, I repeat it; you 
must consult me about your affairs while you are 
here ! 

Anger chased the happiness of the girl’s dark 
eyes, and she drew herself up to her fullest height. 

Caramba ! Guay ! ^ Must,’ ^ must not,’ ^ consult ’ 
— continually, to — me / Such words were never 
heard at Santa Paula, from menial up to master. 
I — have I not been trained to hold myself mis- 
tress of myself ? Has not mi padre always said 
that I should humble myself for nothing but 
wrong-doing ? Have I done wrong ? No. In verity, 
a thousand times, no! I have made some pitiful 
little faces gay for once, as they should be always 
gay were the world what it might be. Es increible 
(it is incredible) that a freeborn American must 
put her generosity into a straight-jacket lest she 
should shock an invisible lot of humbugs who call 
themselves ^ society.’ Why, I’ve learned more this 
afternoon from those gamins than in all these 
other days from the people who drive in carriages 
to visit you. Look at dad. Isn’t his wisdom a 


320 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

match for that of any other man living ? Or did 
ever a dishonorable action stain his soul ? No. 
Yet he, this man among men, trusts me. He has 
hurled no ^ musts/ nor ^ must nots ’ against my 
heart — not once ! He says I have as good a right 
to my personality as he has to his, and he is the 
more careful to leave me free because I am his 
child, and so under his authority, than if I were 
a stranger. Oh, dad — dad — ” 

The tirade ended in sudden tears, which were 
more than the warm-hearted Hor tense liked to see. 
The girl had certainly sinned against convention- 
ality and the social fitness of things ; yet in any 
case the pitiful homesickness for dad '' banished 
displeasure from the chaperon’s heart. In a brief 
time the impulsive girl and the society woman 
had their arms about each other, and two pairs 
of eyes,, unused to tears, were winking trouble- 
some drops away. 

An agreeable diversion to this state of things was 
caused by the arrival of a messenger-boy with a note 
addressed to Mrs. Rutger and marked Important.” 

Patience rose to go to her own room, but the 
chaperon’s hand gently detained her. 


THE REST OF THE ELIOTS. 


321 


Listen to this, my dear. I am delighted. 
Now you will have young company whom, be- 
ing relatives, you cannot neglect for all the city’s 
scalawags. My only brother, Harold, and his 
family have arrived from England and are at the 
Hotel Buckingham. Wait a moment, till I answer 
this, and I will tell you all about them.” 

The reply despatched. Patience followed her cousin 
into the latter’s dressing-room, where, while Clo- 
tilde arranged her mistress’s hair, Hortense’s tongue 
waxed eloquent. 

^^My brother left home before — before your 
father went West. He was there when the trouble 
— oh, beg pardon ! I mean he married there 
and into a very aristocratic family. My sister-in- 
law was Lady Genevieve Waldron, and she’s a 
leader in society abroad. They come across here 
once in a while, but I was not looking for them 
this year. Still, I’m very glad; for she will be 
just the one to impress you with the importance 
of those social forms which are recognized as good, 
the world over; and there must be something 
sadly deficient in my own make-up, because — I 
don’t impress you at all.” 


322 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Mrs. Rutger looked around, smilingly, at the girl 
perched upon the window-ledge, and was puzzled 
by the varying emotions of amusement, surprise, 
and contempt which her mobile face expressed. 

Why, my darling, aren’t you pleased ? There 
are three girls of them ; the middle one, about 
your age, I think. She isn’t ^ out ’ yet, of course ; 
but Madeleine, the eldest, made her dehut last sea- 
son. She is very handsome and created a great 
sensation — so Genevieve wrote. She’ll be some- 
body to pattern after, near your own age.” 

Thank you, but I shall never pattern after 
anything foreign.” 

Patience ! What a prejudiced little girl you 
are ! However, please go and dress, so that after 
dinner we can go to call upon them. The grace 
of such a thing is doing it promptly.” 

Need I go ? ” 

You — ” Mrs. Rutger was going to speak one of 
those obnoxious ^ musts,’ concerning Patience’s duties 
to that world ” which did not peddle newspapers 
nor even write for them, but she changed her 
remark into, I hope you will go, to please me. 
I am very fond of my English friends.” 


THE REST OF THE ELIOTS, 


323 

Oh, to please you I’d do anything possible,” 
said the girl, sweetly, and danced away. 

In the matter of appearance Patience had noth- 
ing to lose by comparison with her English cousins. 
The selection of her small wardrobe was perfect ; 
having wisely been left to those furnishers whose 
knowledge of the art of dress was equal to 
Patience’s own ignorance of the subject. But, 
had anybody told Hortense Putger that she held 
her new charge dearer than her own nieces she 
would have been surprised ; yet she was proud 
of the contrast between the graceful American, so 
simply and suitably clad, and the heavier, more 
showily garbed Madeleine and Gladys. Dorothy, 
the third girl, was too young to be considered of 
much account, and she was clothed in a striking 
23laid, ugly and unbecoming. 

To please Mrs. Rutger, Patience met the strangers 
with a natural cordiality which would have warmed 
to response anything less formal than the society- 
trained English manner. As it was, although Hor- 
tense’s note had informed the Harold Eliots of 
Patience’s presence and position, the Lady Gene- 
vieve could not divest herself of a haughty disdain 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


324 

which at all times marked her intercourse with 
the world — a disdain rather of manner than of 
intention ; for she was at heart a kindly woman, 
who regretted but one blunder in her life — her 
marriage with an American. However, having mar- 
ried him, she became the typical English wife, and 
rendered him that admiring respect which she with- 
held from everything else belonging to his country. 

Save and except its air.” For American air ” 
she brought her English asthma across the sea 
whenever her native fogs became too suffocating, 
and the asthma was the cause of the present trip, 
which every member of the family considered a 
dreary bore.” 

It’s so tiresome, you know, Hortense,” said 
Harold Eliot. Really, when we have everything 
else at home I don’t see why we couldn’t have a 
decent climate.” 

Patience turned round from a forced conversa- 
tion with the two elder girls, and inquired, What 
do you call ^ home,’ Cousin Harold ? ” 

Why, England, of course.” 

Then I think you ought to be choked with 
asthma ! ” 


THE REST OF THE ELIOTS. 


325 


^^Wliy, why, my dear?” exclaimed the star- 
tled gentleman. Then he added : “ Ah, I see ! 
You are one of those ^wild Western’ girls we 
read about in American novels, who think — ah — 
brusqueness is that ^ smartness ’ on which they 
pride themselves. A little travel will — er — 
broaden your views, and, as I — er — might say, 
subdue your manner.” 

Do you think so ? But I have travelled — a 
little. Dad and I have made the tour of the 
world, and we plan to go round again before I 
enter college. I am a Western girl, and proud 
of the fact ; but, first of all, I am an American, 
as you were born, and — begging your pardon — I 
hope that I shall never shame my glorious birth- 
right by calling any other country ^ home.’ ” 

Hortense laughed and interposed: ^^My darling, 
please give Harold time to get into sympathy 
with his native environment afresh. Eernember, 
he has lived abroad twenty-five years; you can 
scarcely expect him to feel as radically as you 
do.” 

The call terminated rather briefly; nor, during 
their drive home, did either Hortense or her 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


326 

charge have much to say ; but, as they settled 
themselves in the drawing-room, the lady asked, 
^^Well, how do you like them?” 

'' I liked little Dorothy. She’s good-natured 
looking.” 

And the rest ? ” 

They’re well enough, except — beg pardon, I 
forgot.” 

^^Dear Patience, say it out frankly. I shall not 
mind in the least.” 

‘^Except Mr. Harold Eliot. He isn’t an honest 
man. Dear, dear! that’s dreadful, isn’t it? But — ” 

But ? ” demanded the other, more amused than 
angry. 

^Mt isn’t that he behaves so shamefully about 
his fatherland; it is something in himself — in his 
creepy movement and his shifty eyes. Not once 
while we were talking together did he look me 
fairly in the face. If a body can’t look a body 
squarely in the eye, he has something to hide. 
So dad says, and he has taught me to look for 
that sign among my herders and Caballeros. I 
never keep a man on the ranch who has that 
furtive way of glancing.” 


THE REST OF THE ELIOTS, 


327 


A Daniel come to the judgment ! You have 
known him but one half-hour, and I foresee that 
you will change your mind.” 


CHAPTER XXX. 


PLAIN SPEECH BETWEEN FRIENDS. 

JT was necessary that Patience should come into 
frequent intercourse with her hostess’s friends, 
yet lengthened acquaintance but deepened her 
dislike of Harold into a contempt which she was 
all too natural to hide, or even seek to hide. 
Also, for some reason — unaccountable to his sister 
— Mr. Eliot bitterly resented this manner instead 
of treating it with the indifference common from 
an older person toward the opinions of one so 
young. The two rarely met without a little dis- 
pute ; and one morning, during a temporary ab- 
sence of Mrs. Rutger, when Lady Genevieve and 
her husband called, the climax came. 

The trouble began in a controversy regarding 
higher education,” Mr. Eliot ridiculing the idea 
of Patience taking a collegiate course, which he 
declared useless for any woman. 


328 


PLAIN SPEECH BETWEEN FRIENDS, 


329 


But dad thinks just the contrary. He says 1 
will be better fitted to meet the world fairly if I 
have the benefit of the most thorough instruction 
obtainable — especially in a case like mine, where 
there is a vast property at stake. If your son 
should be college-trained — you said that he was 
at Oxford now — why not I, who stand in the 

place of both son and daughter to dad ? I fear 

making mistakes. In a way, the eyes of my 

countrymen will be upon me to see how I dis- 
charge my trust. My ambition is that they may 
be able to point to me with pride and say, ‘ She 
is ours.’ Why, in the newspapers tliey call me 

an ^American princess,’ and I am proud of the 
title, because we are the only really royal nation 
on the face of the globe. Yet, if I am ^ princess ’ 
among such, I must be wholly royal. So dad says.” 

Lady Genevieve took up the talk. I wonder 
why you chose such a vulgar term as Mad.’ But 
you are very proud of his money, aren’t you ? 
Though he was once poor enough. My father-in- 
law was at the expense of his rearing.” 

Not half as proud as of his generous heart 
and honorable life.” 


330 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


H’m ! his youth was not — was not — so hon- 
orable/' 

“What do you mean?” 

“No matter.” 

“ Beg pardon, but it does matter. Do you think 
I don’t know the story of my father’s youth? 
But quite often you have said something like 
that, then stopped; and, somehow, you all seem 
jealous of him. Then, the other day, Dorothy 
asked me how I could love a ^ wicked man ’ as I 
love my father. I wish you’d explain yourselves. 
It’s so cowardly to stab a body in the back — 
like a low-down ^ greaser ’ ! ” 

Lady Genevieve lost her temper. As Patience 
afterward tersely described it, “ she got mad.” 

“ See here, my girl ! I’ve had enough of this 
insolence ! You a ^ princess,’ when your father — ” 

“ Wife ! ” cried Harold, warningly. 

“ I will say it ! Patience Eliot, your father was 
a thief! If he had his deserts he would now be 
wearing prison-stripes instead of gentleman’s broad- 
cloth ! ” 

Harold sprang up with pallid face. “ Genevieve 1 
wife 1 No, no ; don’t believe it, child 1 It is — 


PLAIN SPEECH BETWEEN FRIENDS. 331 

it is all past ! It — oli, why couldn’t you hold 
your tongue?” 

Because I was determined this arrogant young 
savage should get down to the level where she 
belongs! She’s the most — ” 

Genevieve Eliot, I command you to stop ! You 
must not say one single word more. Here, put 
on your bonnet. The cab is at the door ; go 
away at once ! ” 

There was no longer anything supercilious or 
affectedly foreign about Harold Eliot. His voice 
had the rude sincerity of one driven to despera- 
tion, and no cowboy of the plains — worse, no 
brute of London slums — could have ordered his 
wife more roughly than now he this titled lady 
who bore his name ; and she, because she was so 
utterly dum founded, immediately obeyed. 

Don’t, Cousin Patience — don’t look like that! 
Let me explain ! ” 

Hush ! You heard what she said. You told 
her to be silent, but you did not deny it. Why 
did you not?” 

I — I couldn’t ! ” 

^^You couldn’t! Well, brave man and polished 


332 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


gentleman that you consider yourself, I tell you 
to your face it is a lie ! — as plainly and entirely 
as you are one ! There’s a mystery somewhere, 
but I shall understand it. When I do. I’ll make 
you retract those words your wife said, every 
single one of them ! She has done her best to 
make me the ‘savage’ she called me. Any woman, 
girl or matron, will fight even ‘savagely’ for 
those she loves. My father is my world; he is 
above all sullying by such as you. But you shall 
unsay that vile epithet, and be able to deny it 
when next I ask you.” . 

Then she went out of the room to her own 
chamber, her one haven of refuge in this cramped 
city home ; where, ten minutes later, her chaperon 
found her raging fiercely up and down. 

The whole story came briefly out, without pre- 
lude or excuse. “He called mi padre — a thief! 
And I called him a — liar! That is all I can do 
— yet.” 

“ Patience 1 my poor, passionate, untutored child 1 ” 
Hortense opened her arms, but the girl stood 
defiant of sympathy. 

“Caramba! Don’t pity me! I need it not. 


PLAIN SPEECH BETWEEN FRIENDS. 


333 

But, tell me, have you also had this horrible 
thought of dad?” 

The lady turned her sorrowful, too truthful, 
glance aside. 

“ Why, Cousin Hortense ! You poor thing. But 
you need believe it no longer ; it is untrue.” 

My love, no wonder that the first shock of 
this discovery is terrible for you. But, remember 
that for all sin some atonement is possible. Your 
father’s later life has atoned for his youth.” 

Hush ! It is a lie ! A wicked, abominable lie ! 
Don’t talk, please. I loved you. I don’t wish to 
say anything to hurt you. But I shall, unless — ” 
Shall I go away ? ” 

If you will be so kind.” 

Mrs. E-utger went sadly out. The blow had 
fallen upon poor Patience, which those who loved 
her would have spared. What would be the re- 
sult? Then she sent Boden to the girl. 

^^Boden, have you heard this dreadful thing?” 

^^Yes, my lamb.” 

^^And — but, Boden, you don’t look as if you 
believed it,” cried the girl, impulsively clasping 
the housekeeper’s hands. 


334 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


dearie. It never was easy for me to be- 
lieve anything like that of young master Davy, 
whom I’ve tended as an orphan baby. Him that 
was always more like a son to his old uncle than 
master Harold himself. I didn’t wislfi to believe 
it; and so I didn’t feel that I was obliged to — 
so long as I held my tongue.” 


CHAPTER XXXT. 


THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 

darling, faithful, precious woman ! But 
first, I want to ask you a favor. Will you 
go out with me ? And will you keep a secret, 
dear old Boden?” 

As many as you like. Both secrets and favors.” 

^^Then listen.” 

A brief, whispered conversation followed, and 
soon after the two went out of the house ; but 
the housekeeper had notified Mrs. Rutger of their 
intention and promised faithful care over her 
wilful charge. 

They passed the several hours of their absence 
in the private parlor of a hotel. Thence Patience 
despatched a telegram to Mexico ; and there they 
had lunch, awaiting a reply. 

The outgoing message had been brief, ^^Dad, 
is it true ? ” But the incoming one was even 
more terse, No.” 


335 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST, 


336 

It was a long day for Mrs. Rutger, and she 
was devoutly thankful when the absent pair re- 
turned. 

Well, my darling, I am so glad you are back 
and looking so bright.'’ For she could not con- 
ceal her surprise at Patience’s evident quick 
rebound from that suffering which had seemed 
so overwhelming at the first. There is nothing 
so reviving as the fresh air.” 

Yes, thank you. Cousin Hortense. I do feel 
perfectly happy now ; and will you forgive me, 
if you thought me rude this morning.” 

I was not present, and know nothing save 
your own and Harold’s stories ; but, if you feel 
sorry for your brusqueness — let us call it merely 
that — to your English cousins, I hope you will 
be brave enough to tell them so.” 

‘^1 am not sorry. Not the least bit in the 
world. I should again say exactly the same thing 
under the same circumstances.” 

Patience ! ” 

Quite true. Yet, must I meet them again ? ” 
she asked. 

Why, certainly. It is unavoidable. It will 


THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 


337 


not be as difficult as you think, though, dear. 
W ell-bred people always ignore such affairs as 
fully as possible. You may be certain the Waldron- 
Eliots will not refer to the matter again; and I 
wished you to do so only for once.” 

am sorry not to oblige you, but I cannot. 
However, I can and will show you that I know 
how to conduct myself according to the best 
^social rules,’ of which dad and I once made a 
winter s study. En verdad ! The same ^ rules ’ 
were a senseless lot and mostly untruthful. That 
is why I despise them so. Still, these foreigners 
of yours have called me an ^ American savage,’ 
and now they shall see that I am, also, an Ameri- 
can gentlewoman.” 

That very evening the English family and Mrs. 
Rutger’s were engaged to dine at a mutual friend’s. 
They went, of course, and all were as placid and 
gracious as if no sore spirits lay beneath their 
polished manners. 

But it was Patience who bore off the palm of social 
victory ; whose natural grace and simplicity, whose 
keen observations and ready repartees, and whose 
perfect savoir faire charmed and amused everybody. 


338 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

Poor Lady Genevieve sipped her consomme and 
ate her ices with a bitter relish. 

^^That chit of a girl in a white gown, who 
isn’t even ^ out ’ yet ! ” 

This peaceful state of affairs continued for ten 
days, during which time Patience and little Dorothy 
became fast friends. But one evening, at the 
expiration of this period, when the apparently 
amiable family had gathered in Hortense’s pretty 
drawing-room, the portiere was noiselessly pushed 
aside and Reuben ushered in a would-be unannounced 
guest. 

Patience’s eyes were toward the doorway, near 
which she sat, and Harold Eliot was at the far- 
ther corner of the apartment; they, tacitly and 
invariably, placing themselves at the extremest 
distances possible. But both her eyes and his — 
one exulting and one terrified — flashed recogni- 
tion of the newcomer. 

Dad, dad ! I knew that you would come ! ” 

My darling ! Querida, mi nina — my own 
loyal Patience ! ” 

Hortense came forward, radiant of welcome, 
yet trembling with nervousness. 


THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 


339 


David, this is an unexpected pleasure — so 
soon ! 

Thank you.” But his glance turned from 
her and swept the room till it rested upon Harold 
Eliot, who shrank beneath its sternness. Strange 
that he did not add his greeting to that of his 
sister ! Yet he uttered no word, and his blond, 
English-looking face grew hard and strained. 

For the space that the two men gazed upon 
each other an ominous hush, like that before a 
storm, fell over the place. Boden paused in the 
act of arranging the teacups and Reuben forgot 
to retire. The rest seemed stricken motionless 
with apprehension. 

Daughter, what did they tell you ? ” 

That you were a — thief, mi padre.” 

David raised his hand as if it were enough, 
and his eyes pierced the soul of the man cower- 
ing in that distant corner. 

Harold, tell the story.” 

The other was mute. 

^^Then I must. But it would come with better 
grace from you.” 

Dad, wait. He shall tell it ! ” j 


340 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


Patience sprang forward and confronted Harold. 
Standing with her clinched hands behind her, and 
the fire of intense determination fiashing from her 
eyes, her will compelled his. He knew that for 
him was no choice but to speak and — truthfully. 

^^Yes. ril tell. It will be a relief. Twenty-five 
years is a long time to bear the burden of such a 
secret.’’ 

He paused so long that the menacing girl rallied 
him: — 

Hurry up, time presses!” 

^^It is I — who am the thief! I — who robbed 
the vaults of my father’s bank and beggared him 
in his old age. David found me out. It was 
David who saw that not the poverty — but the 
disgrace of knowing his only son a common thief 
— would break the old man’s heart. I had stolen 
the money to go abroad and marry the titled 
lady to whom I was betrothed, and David said — ” 

The torrent of words which had fallen, when 
once the white lips of the man began their bitter 
task, came to a sudden turn. 

David,” exclaimed Harold, piteously, ^^why — 
after all these years — force confession from me now ?” 


THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 341 

Because so long as silence injured only myself, 
silence was endurable — was best. When it touched 
her '' — and he indicated his idolized child — si- 
lence became a sin.” 

Ordered Patience again : What did David say, 
then ? Finish the story.” 

Harold obeyed and resumed. 

^^He bade me go. He said that he would take 
my shame upon himself and spare my father, 
whose heart would, indeed, break for a son, but 
would not for a nephew. When I was safely at 
sea, according to his plan, the robbery was fast- 
ened upon him, but he had disappeared. My 
father gave up his fortune. Nobody suffered 
financially, save him ; and — well, I must add one 
thing more : The missing money ivas all returned 
before my father's death." 

By whom ? ” demanded Hortense, speaking for 
the first time during all that terrible scene. 

‘‘By the man loho was supposed to have stolen it. 
By our — Cousin David.” 

^^Oh, Harold, and you — an Eliot!" 

The face of Patience expressed a strange study. 
Unspeakable pride and happiness shone through 


342 


A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 


the curiosity and repugnance with which she gazed 
upon the man before her. ' Then she turned to 
her father : — 

Come, dad, let’s go home.” 

^^Yes, carita, but by the Mong way round,’ 
the shortest route for happy folks. I came in our 
yacht America, and we’ll go back to Santa Paula 
by way of a tour round the world. Just step 
across and ask Hortense and dear old Boden to 
go with us.” 

Boden’ s smile told her consent, but Mrs. Kutger 
sat with her proud face buried in her hands. 

^^Will you go, dear?” asked Patience, kneeling 
by the mortified woman. 

cannot. My spirit is broken within me.” 

^^But I have spirit enough for two, and Fll 
chaperon you ! Don’t you know how dad says 
that nothing can ever really disgrace us save the 
evil we ourselyes commit? Yes, mi padre, I will 
surely yet persuade her to go.” 

As she did. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


CONCLUSION. 


S soon as the yacht could be provisioned for 



the fresh trip this happy company sailed away 
from the beautiful harbor of New York to call at 
many another port, strange and foreign and infi- 
nitely interesting, before they finally came to anchor 
off Santa Barbara, on their own California coast. 

There were Mrs. Rutger and Boden, the nobly 
ambitious Tulita with her wise governess, David, 
Long Mark, Gaspar, and the heart’s delight” of 
all — Patience, the American princess.” Their 
way was truly a royal one ; not by any f anfan 
of trumpets and ovations, but by the deeds of 
generous love to suffering humanity which were 
left behind them, as the trail of the waters behind 
their white-winged boat. 

^^For Dad David says rightly, as he always 
does ! There is never a spot on the earth but 
one may find somebody to cheer. Never a jour- 


343 


344 


A DAUGNTEJ^ OF THE WEST. 


ney, even from village to village, but some face 
by the wayside may be made the brighter for our 
passing,” quoth Patience. And she sung for the 
very gladness that was returned unto herself from 
the gladness she made all about her. 

The year of travel was a wonderful one to Tu- 
lita. It seemed as if her intelligent being imbibed 
knowledge at every pore, and her always liberal 
charity for others — so different from that feeling 
commonly ascribed to her own race — expanded 
till she grew mentally into as perfect and royal a 
creature as she was physically. 

When they all were safely home at Santa Paula 
they set immediately about putting into practical 
shape the plans they had formed during their long 
tour ; and to-day, where was once the humble Ind- 
ian village by the arroyo, stands a beautiful town. 
The houses are no longer built of adobe mud, but 
tastefully and conveniently arranged model homes,” 
such as one sees everywhere in thrifty New Eng- 
land towns, sheltering busy and happy households. 
The people who dwell in these homes are still Ind- 
ians, but Indians who command the respect of their 
white brothers the world over. 


CONCLUSION. 


345 

Nowhere in all America are better tilled farms 
than theirs ; nowhere richer orange groves and 
vineyards, while their culture of the olive, in 
which the earliest mission padres instructed them, 
bids fair to rival that of Southern Europe. 

The water which used to waste itself among the 
foothills of the Sierras is now brought down, as 
‘^Dad David” taught them, to irrigate their own 
rich land. They have churches for all; and for 
all, as free as the air they breathe, is that educa- 
tion which Tulita so longed for and so thoroughly 
achieved. 

Tulita herself is at the head of the great agri- 
cultural college, and the zeal with which she in- 
spires her hundreds of students is due to her 
infinite love for them. Other instructors they have 
in abundance — men and women far wiser in tech- 
nical knowledge than Tulita ever hopes to become ; 
and to these the Indian students pay all due def- 
erence. But it is Tulita they claim to be their 
guide, as they also still claim her to be the royal 
Princess de la Vega. 

Yet with almost equal admiration they regard 
that other princess,” Patience, their adopted 


346 A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. 

white sister, who spends ' a goodly portion of her 
time among her cherished 'protegees^ and of whom 
they are never jealous when, as she sometimes 
does, she carries Tulita away to the great hacienda 
to pass a month or more. And the greatest curi- 
osity among them all, to the transient white visitor, 
is the little Indian newsboy which Patience has 
evolved from the village urchin, and trained to be 
as fleet, as sharp, and as well-informed as his pro- 
totype of the great Eastern cities. To hear this 
red-skinned little fellow call out in his native 
tongue, as he hops nimbly on and off the electric 
cars which already run through the streets of his 
native town, ^^'Erald^ Times, 'Ihune — paper, sir?’' 
is as amusing as it is also a powerful object lesson 
on the famous Indian question.” 

Quoth Long Mark, riding over the plain : A 
question that’s about settled to my satisfaction, 
Ichy boy, so far as this particular section of this 
mortal hemisphere is concerned. I’ve been all over 
the world more’n once, and you with me, Ichabod, 
and we’ve never seen a more touching or prettier 
sight anywhere than those two princesses of ours 
joining hands like sisters across all the — the 


CONCLUSION. 


347 


great mistakes of the past century or so. Little 
white hand and little red one, God bless them 
both ! Tender of touch and true as steel, long 
may they hold close to the bond that’s between 
them — Love ! Go long, Ichy boy ! ” 



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